xf     , 

61  to 


r- 


f^xxZ^- 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


Thirty -Third  Regiment 
Illinois  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry 

IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

22nd  AUGUST,  1861,  to  7th  DECEMBER,  1865 


BY 


GENERAL  ISAAC  H.  ELLIOTT 

With  Company  and  Personal  Sketches  by  Other  Comrades 


ALSO 


COMPLETE    HISTORICAL    ROSTERS 

COMPILED  BY 

VIRGIL  G.  WAY 

Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Regimental  Association,  By  Whom  the  Work  Has  Been 

Prepared  for  Publication. 


"  We  were  comrades  in  arms, 

We  are  comrades  in  peace,  and 
Proud  citizens  of  the  Republic  for  the  humble  part  taken  by  us  in  its  preservation  as  a  Nation. 


GIBSON  CITY,  ILL. 
PUBLISHED  BY  THE  ASSOCIATION 

1902 


1  5 


w 


PRESS  OF  THE  GIBSON  COURlElt, 
GIBSON  CITY,  ILL. 


INTRODUCTION. 


BY  J.  H.  BURNHAM. 


"At  a  meeting- of  the  survivors  of  the  33rd  regiment 
of  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  held  in  Bloornington 
December  30th,  1K84,  General  C.  E.  Lippincott,  Cap 
tain  of  Company  'K'  at"  the  organisation  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  afterwards  Lieut.  Colonel  and  Colonel,  was 
requested  to  write  the  history  of  the  regiment. 

"To  perform  such  a  duty  properly  is  no  slight  task. 
Almost  twenty-four  years  have  passed  away  since  the 
regiment  was  organised.  Twenty -one  years  have  gone 
since  the  history  of  the  regiment  was  completed,  and 
the  men  who  composed  it  were  mustered  out  of  service 
and  resumed  their  places  as  citi/ens  of  the  Republic 
they  had  helped  to  save.  The  thoughts  which  crowd 
on  one's  mind  at  the  first  attempt  to  perform  the  duty 
thus  imposed  are  bewildering.  There  is  much  that  no 
man  can  fitly  teil.  Underneath  the  mere  facts  there  is 
a  very  sea  of  feeling  and  emotion  which  is  beyond  the 
reach  of  any  art.  Who  can  describe  the  enthusiasm, 
the  patriotism,  the  devotion  which  brought  together 
the  men  who  met  at  Camp  Butler  in  August,  18(31,  to 
form  the  'Normal'  regiment?" 

The  foregoing  was  written  as  a  beginning  to  the  "In 
troduction"  for  the  history  of  the  33rd  Illinois  Infantry 
more  than  seventeen  years  ago  by  the  lamented  and 
talented  Col.  Lippincott  in  response  to  the  resolution 
he  quoted  at  the  commencement  of  this  article.  In  ad 
dition  to  the  charmingly  prepared  introduction  he  also 
wrote  two  full  chapters  of  the  history  of  the  regiment, 
when  the  care  and  the  management  of  the  Soldiers' 
Home  at  Quincy,  1U.,  devolved  upon  him  and  he  was 
obliged  to  suspend  his  literary  labors  in  behalf  of  the 
regiment,  and  his  sudden  death  soon  followed.  He  for 
warded  me  his  manuscript,  as  I  was  then  Secretary  of 
the  33rd  Illinois  Veteran  Association,  and  as  I  am  now 
requested  to  write  the  introduction  to  our  finally  com 
pleted  regimental  history,  I  feel  it  a  privilege  to  show 
by  this  quotation  that  our  comrade  in  1884-85  made  an 
earnest  attempt  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  his  comrades. 
The  request  of  Col.  Lippincott  to  write  our  book  was  a 
combination  of  one  of  a  series  of  efforts  to  publish  the 
gallant  Thirty-Third's  history,  brought  forward  time 
and  again  at  regimental  reunions.  Circulars  have  been 
sent  out  to  survivors  and  friends  of  deceased  comrades, 
addresses  of  members  have  been  hunted  up  and  much 
labor  performed  in  the  direction  of  publication  ;  but  the 
care  and  responsibility  of  its  management  always  dis 


couraged  and  appalled  the  committees.  As  a.  Jong  time 
member  of  those  committees  and  for  nearly  twenty  years 
Secretary  of  the  Association,-  I  believe  I  can  say  that 
had  I  used  proper  patience  and  industry  this  book  could 
have  been  published  long  ere  this. 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  now  to  state  that  in  Mr.  V. 
G.  Way,  the  present  Secretary,  the  Association  has  fin 
ally  met  a  person  possessing  the  necessary  qualifications 
of  untiring  industry,  quiet  and  persistent  patience  and 
the  business  capacity  to  carry  out  in  an  admirable  man 
ner  the  wishes  of  the  survivors  of  that  notable  regiment 
whose  history  is  at  last  set  forth  in  these  pages. 

Col.  I.  H.  Elliott's  admirably  written  historical 
sketch  of  the  most  important  movements  of  the  regi 
ment  will  be  heartily  welcomed  by  his  old  comrades. 
No  other  man  has  ever  been  connected  with  the  regi 
ment  who  possessed  such  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  officers  and  men.  He  knew  most  accurately 
the  feelings  of  all  classes,  and  possessed  enthusiastic 
love  for  everything  pertaining  to  its  membership,  its 
record  and  its  military  fame.  In  addition  to  these 
qualifications  he  has  a  most  pleasing  literary  style  and 
has  the  rare  talent  of  giving  descriptions  of  military 
movements  in  appropriate  military  language.  His 
work  has  been  referred  to  several  well  qualified  com 
rades,  who  found  but  little  to  revise  and  had  very  few 
suggestions  to  offer.  The  various  Company  sketches 
present  us  with  interesting  historical  events  which  do 
not  generally  pertain  strictly  to  the  regimental  history, 
but  add  very  much  to  its  historical  importance ;  and 
the  miscellaneous  chapters  which  add  greatly  to  the 
variety  are  also  in  unison  with  the  general  scope  of  our 
subject.  The  condensed  rosters  herewith  given  consti 
tute  a  monument  to  the  labors  of  our  secretary,  Mr.  V. 
G.  Way.  They  will  prove  of  inestimable  value  to  the 
surviving  comrades,  to  the  relatives  and  friends  of 
those  who  have  died,  and  will  grow  in  value  with  the 
progress  of  time.  I  believe  it  can  be  truthfully  stated 
that  no  other  Illinois  regiment  has  yet  published  such 
a  valuable  contribution  to  the  history  of  the  Civil  War, 
and  I  think  it  doubtful  if,  taken  in  all  of  its  phases, 
any  regimental  history  has  yet  been  issued  of  more 
value  to  those  most  intimately  interested,  and  at  the 
same  time  of  such  general  interest  as  an  illustration  of 
the  military  and  civil  record  of  a  single  regiment  of 
the  volunteers  of  1881-186.5. 


M154650 


PICTURES  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF. 


COLONEL  CHARLES  E.  HOVEY. 


COLONEL  CHARLES  E.  LIPPINCOTT. 


COLONEL  ISAAC  H.   ELLIOTT. 


GENERAL  ISAAC  H.   ELLIOTT,    190O. 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


BY  ISAAC  H.  ELLIOTT. 


CHAPTER  I. 
ILLINOIS. 

''Not  without  thy  wondrous  story, 

Illinois,  Illinois, 
Can  be  writ  the  Nation's  glory, 

Illinois,  Illinois. 
On  the  record  of  thy  years 
Abra'rn  Lincoln's  name  appears, 
Grant  and  Logan  and  our  tears, 

Illinois,  Illinois.'' 


The  Thirty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  had  its 
origin  iu  that  great  outburst  of  patriotism  which  fol 
lowed  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861, 
and  which  rallied  the  entire  North  for  the  defense  of 
the  Flag  and  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

A  pitched  battle  had  been,  fought  within  cannon 
sound  of  the  National  Capital,  and  the  Union  forces 
had  been  put  to  flight.  The  North  had  been  taught  a 
lesson,  and  now  learned  for  the  first  time  the  determi 
nation  and  aggressive  energy  of  the  South  which  fore 
shadowed  the  desperate  character  the  contest  was  des 
tined  to  assume.  The  people  now  knew  that  we  were 
to  have  a  war  with  bloody  fighting,  with  countless  de 
struction  of  property,  with  costly  sacrifice  of  life. 

Upon  the  appeal  of  the  President  to  the  loyal  people 
to  come  to  the  rescue  of  the  endangered  flag,  the  great 
"War  Governors"  of  the  North  called  upon  their  states. 
Washburn  of  Maine,  Goodwin  of  New  Hampshire,  Fair- 
child  of  Vermont,  John  A.  Andrew  of  Massachusetts, 
Buckingham  of  Connecticut  and  Sprague  of  Rhode 
Island  stirred  New  England  to  a  fervor  of  patriotism. 

In  the  great  Central  States,  Morgan  of  New  York, 
Charles  Olden  of  New  Jersey,  and  Curtin  of  Pennsyl 
vania  came  to  the  aid  of  the  loyal  cause  with  patriotic 
zeal.  Dennison  of  Ohio,  Morton  of  Indiana,  Blair  of 
Michigan,  Randall  of  Wisconsin,  KirkM'ood  of  Iowa, 
and  Ramsay  of  Minnesota  roused  the  great  West  to  the 
very  limit  of  devotion  to  the  integrity  of  the  Nation. 
But  what  shall  be  said  of  the  patriotism  of  Illinois  at 
this  crisis? 


When  1  speak  of  patriotism  I  do  not  mean  state  pride 
or  sectional  attachment,  feelings  which  are  so  natural 
and  proper,  but  a  patriotism  which  rises  higher  than 
this;  that  knows  no  county  or  state;  no  North,  no 
South  ;  that  worships  no  mountain  range,  flowing  river 
or  prairie  home ;  that  knows  the  success  of  American 
institutions  is  based  on  the  idea  of  National  Unity. 
For  this  Washington  pleaded  in  his  farewell  address, 
and  Webster  in  his  great  orations;  for  this  Grant  drew 
his  sword,  and  became  the  foremost  soldier  of  all  time. 

That  this  is  a  government  of  the  people,  for  the  pea- 
pie,  and  by  the  people.  LTpon  this  inspiration  Lincoln 
rose  to  the  grandest  height  ever  attained  by  man.  A 
patriotism  bed-rocked  on  the  idea  that  all  men  art- 
created  equal,  endowed  with  certain  inalienable  rights. 
lor  this  the  soldier  of  the  Revolution  fought  his  way 
from  Lexington  to  Yorktown,  and  the  Union  soldier 
from  Bull  Run  to  Appomattox. 

The  boundaries  of  Illinois  were  determined  and  fixed 
for  the  express  purpose  of  making  the  state  a  bond  and 
tie  to  hold  together  the  states  of  the  Union.  It  was 
foreseen  from  the  foundation  of  the  government  that 
there  was  great  danger  of  its  dissolution,  and  with  this 
danger  in  view  the  boundaries  of  Illinois  were  most 
carefully  and  wisely  considered. 

It  was  evident  that  none  of  the  great  states  in  the 
West  could  venture  to  aid  in  dissolving  the  Union 
without  cultivating  a  state  situated  in  such  a  central 
and  commanding  position.  It  was  thought  also,  if  it 
was  left  entirely  upon  the  waters  of  the  great  rivers, 


6 


GENERAL  HIS  TOR  Y. 


that  in  case  of  the  disruption  of  the  government  it 
would  be  for  the  interest  of  the  new  state  to  join  a 
Southern  and  Western  confederacy ;  but  if  a  large  por 
tion  of  it  could  be  made  dependent  on  the  commerce 
and  navigation  of  the  great  Northern  Lakes,  connected, 
as  they  are,  with  the  Eastern  states,  a  rival  interest 
would  be  created  to  check  the  wish  for  a  Southern  and 
Western  confederacy. 

A  state  thus  situated,  having  such  a  decided  interest 
in  the  commerce  of  the  whole  country,  and  in  the 
preservation  of  the  whole  Union,  would  never  consent 
to  disunion,  and  for  this  very  reason  the  northern, 
boundary  of  Illinois  was  pushed  up  to  42  degrees,  30 
minutes,  giving  to  the  state  the  fourteen  counties  so 
strenuously  claimed  by  Wisconsin.  Illinois  c«n  well 
afford  to  challenge  the  title  of  Pennsylvania  for  the 
honor  of  being  the  "Keystone  State"  in  the  arch  of 
the  Union. 

These  views  were  urged  by  that  wise  and  able  states 
man,  Judge  Nathaniel  Pope,  territorial  delegate,  and 
received  the  unqualified  consent  of  the  National  Con 
gress  of  1818. 

In  closing  his  comment  on  this  action,  Gov.  Ford — 
from  whom  I  have  largely  taken  the  foregoing— in  his 
history  of  Illinois,  made  this  remarkable  appeal  nearly 
a  half  century  ago: 

"These  facts  and  views  are  worthy  to  b'e  recorded  in 
history  as  a  standing  and  perpetual  call  upon  Illinois- 
ans  of  every  age,  to  remember  the  great  trust  reposed 
in  them  as  the  peculiar  champions  and  guardians  of 
the  Union  by  the  great  men  and  patriot  sages  who 
adorned  and  governed  the  country  in  the  earlier  and 
better  days  of  the  republic." 

Any  Illinois  soldier  who  served  in  the  Civil  War 
must  take  great  pride  in  the  reflection  that  he  re 
sponded  to  the  call  made  upon  Illinoisans  so  long  ago, 
and  became  one  of  the  "peculiar  champions  and  guar 
dians"  of  the  Union. 

I  have  alluded  to  one  reason  for  the  mighty  energy 
and  unwavering  constancy  of  Illinois  during  the  Rebel 
lion.  There  are  others  that  contributed  to  that  end. 
There  was  a  governor  of  this  state  who  had  a  full  reali 
zation  of  the  grave  problem  presented  to  the  nation. 
He  was  alert  and  alive  to  the  needs  of  every  day  and 
hour.  With  all  the  strength  and  energy  of  his  great 
heart  and  brain  he  urged  his  state  on  to  the  full  meas 
ure  of  her  duty.  He  was  with  his  soldiers  in  camp, 
hospital  and  bnttle,  cheering  and  inspiring  them  by 
his  splendid  courage  and  example  Illinois  will  al 
ways  hold  lovingly  to  her  heart  the  memory  of  her 
great  "War  Governor",  Richard  Yates. 

It  was  also  the  happy  fortune  of  our  state  to  have 
furnished  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  government,  a 
man  whose  name  is  enshrined  in  all  hearts,  and  which 
stands  in  the  supreme  place  of  the  nation's  honor.  It 
is  said  of  him  that  he  was  a  perfect  model  .and  without 
a  peer,  dropped  into  those  troubled  years  to  adorn  all 
that  was  good  and  all  that  was  great  in  humanity. 
After  the  cries  of  the  oppressed  had  gone  upward  until 


they  pierced  the  very  ear  of  God,  it  was  given  to  him 
to  hold  in  his  hands  the  broken  shackles  of  four  mil 
lion  slaves.  Illinois  has  had  honors  in  the  past,  and 
honors  await  her  in  the  future,  but  she  will  never 
know  a  higher  honor  and  glory  than  that  of  being  the 
home  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

While  recogni/ing  the  patriotism  and  soldiership  of 
all  the  loyal  states  in  the  wais  which  this  country  has 
had,  1  will  mention  some  achievements  which  murk  Illi 
nois  as  pre-eminent  among  her  sister  states. 

In  the  wars, from  1H10  to  1814,  twenty-five  companies 
from  the  Illinois  Territory  took  a  conspicuous  part  in 
staying  British  aggression,  and  the  depredations  of  the 
Indians.  Subsequent  events  have  overshadowed  the 
heroes  of  those  early  days,  but  their  splendid  deeds  are 
an  important  part  of  the  history  of  the  state  and  coun 
try.  In  the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1832  Illinois  furnished 
174  companies  of  volunteers  which  were  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  and  performed  services 
of  great  importance.  The  fields  of  Cerro  Gordo,  Vera 
Cruz,  Buena  Vista,  and  the  walls  of  Chapultepec  bear 
witness  to  the  gallantry  of  the  Illinois  soldier.  While 
she  was  distant  from  the  theatre  of  war,  she  was  third 
in  numbers  sent  to  the  Mexican  field,  and  greatly  ex 
ceeded  any  other  state  in  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded. 
To  Illinois,  more  than  any  other  state,  must  be  ascribed 
the  victory  of  the  severest  battle  of  the  Mexican  war, 
the  triumph  at  Buena  Vista. 

But  it  was  reserved  for  our  day  to  fully  illustrate  her 
heroism  and  military  prowess.  In  the  war  of  the  Re 
bellion  there  were  2,859,132  men  enlisted  in  the  armies 
of  the  Union.  Of  these  Illinois  furnished  259,147,  be 
sides  many  thousands  that  went  into  regiments  from 
other  states,  for  which  she  received  no  credit.  This 
state  furnished  more  than  fifteen  per  cent,  of  her  popu 
lation,  14,596  in  excess  of  her  quota.  In  Illinois  regi 
ments  there  were  killed  on  the  field  339  officers  and 
5,535  enlisted  men.  Died  of  wounds  received  in  action, 
212  officers,  arid  3,808  men  in  the  ratiks.  Died  of  dis 
ease,  319  officers,  and  22,476  enlisted  men;  18  officers 
and  453  men  met  with  accidental  death  ;  20  officers  and 
537  men  were  drowned ;  4  officers  and  47  men  were 
murdered;  killed  after  capture,  2  officers  and  16  men; 
33  committed  suicide;  7  were  executed  by  United  States 
military  authorities,  and  one  by  the  enemy.  Thirteen 
soldiers  died  from  sunstroke;  other  known  causes,  4 
officers  and  127  men;  causes  not  known,  6  officers  and 
872  men.  Total  casualties  in  Illinois  troops,  915  offi 
cers  and  33,919  enlisted  men,  making  an  aggregate  loss 
by  death  from  all  causes,  34.834.  This  was  the  contri 
bution  that  Illinois  made  to  the  holocaust  of  the  Rebel 
lion. 

Port  Donelson  was  the  first  great  victory  of  the  war. 
It  was  the  first  rift  in  the  cloud  that  hung  over  the 
country  in  the  dark  days  of  1862.  It  was  there  the  un 
known  soldier  from  Illinois  introduced  himself  as  the 
great  military  chieftain  of  the  age.  Here  he  gave  out 
the  watchword  of  "unconditional  surrender",  and  it 
was  never  recalled  until  the  end  came  with  the  apple 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


blossoms  at  Apponiattox.  At  Donelson  there  were  41 
regiments  engaged  on  the  Union  side;  20  of  these  were 
from  Illinois.  There  were  9  batteries,  of  which  6  were 
from  our  state.  All  the  cavalry  were  from  Illinois  ex 
cept  two  companies  of  regulars.  The  entire  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  in  this  battle  was  2,479;  of  these 
1,853  were  from  Illinois,  being  just  four  less  than  three- 
quarters  of  the  entire  casualties. 

In  what  are  said  to  be  the  fifteen  decisive  battles  in 
the  world's  history,  few,  if  any  of  them,  from  Mara 
thon  to  Waterloo,  equal  the  desperate  and  bloody  strug 
gle  at  Shiloh.  At  Shiloh —speaking  of  Grant's  army 
alone  engaged  the  first  day— Illinois  had  24  regiments 
of  infantry  out  of  64,  and  10  batteries  out  of  the  24  en 
gaged.  The  killed  and  wounded  in  this  battle— ex 
cluding  Buell— were  8,114;  of  these  Illinois  lost  8,330. 
If  our  troops  had  not  fired  another  shot,  they  could 
have  gone  home  with  the  credit  of  having  done  more 
than  their  share  in  putting  down  the  Rebellion.  Of 
the  257  organizations  with  which  Grant  began  opera 
tions  against  Vicksburg,  Illinois  furnished  77,  almost 
one-third  of  the  troops  in  that,  the  greatest  campaign 
of  the  war.  In  the  charge  of  the  Light  Brigade  at 
Balaklava,  "The  charge  of  the  Six  Hundred",  Lord 
Cardigan  took  (573  officers  and  men  into  that  action. 
They  lost  113  killed  and  134  wounded,  total  247,  36.7 
per  cent.  The  heaviest  loss  in  the  Franco-Prussian 
war  occurred  at  Mars  la  Tour  in  the  Kith  German  in 
fantry,  which  lost  foity-nine  per  cent.  The  9th  Illi 
nois  Infantry  went  into  the  battle  of  Shiloh  \\ith  578 
officers  and  men.  It  lost  366  killed  and  wounded,  or 
63  per  cent. 

There  were  scores  of  Illinois  regiments  whose  per 
centage  of  killed  and  wounded  in  certain  actions  far 


exceeded  that  of  the  world-famous  charge  of  the  Light 
Brigade,  and  nobody  "blundered",  either.  Company 
losses  show  even  a  greater  percentage  in  some  cases. 
One  company  of  the  1st  Minnesota  lost  at  Gettysburg 
13  killed  and  17  wounded  out  of  35  engaged.  In  the 
charge  on  the  works  of  Vicksburg,  May  22nd,  '63, 
Company  E,  of  the  33rd  Illinois,  had  32  men,  11  were 
killed  and  all  the  rest  wounded  save  one. 

I  have  gone  somewhat  outside  the  narrative  of  regi 
mental  history,  but  I  have  done  so  in  order  to  recall  to 
my  comrades  in  the  outset  the  splendid  soldiership  of 
our  beloved  state,  in  which  our  regiment  bore  an 
honorable  part. 

The  days  immediately  succeeding  Bull  Run  were  the 
darkest  and  most  threatening  in  this  country's  history. 
A  strong  and  aggressive  element  in  the  North  was  op 
posing  the  prosecution  of  the  war.  Nearly  every  for 
eign  government  was  hostile  to  the  lTnion  cause.  The 
Army  of  the  Potomac  had  been  driven  back  and  was 
gathered  in  timid  defense  of  the  National  Capital. 
The  victorious  enemy,  confident  and  threatening,  was 
but  a  few  miles  away.  But  out  of  this  gloom  now 
flamed  the  devotion  and  patriotism  of  the  mighty  North. 
Hundreds  of  public  meetings  were  held  from  the  east 
ern  boundary  to  the  extreme  western  portion  of  the 
country.  Telegrams  offering  assistance  fell  upon  the 
White  House  like  snow  flakes.  Work  was  suspended  in 
the  field,  office  and  factory ;  the  whole  people  were 
roused  to  a  determination  to  subdue  the  rebellion  and 
restore  the  Union  at  whatever  cost  of  treasure  and  sac 
rifice  of  life.  It  was  in  such  a  crisis,  and  with  such  a 
resolve,  that  the  men  who  were  to  compose  the  Thirty- 
Third  Illinois  Volunteers  thronged  to  the  rendezvous  at 
Bloomington  early  in  August,  1861. 


CHAPTER  II. 
THE  REGIMENT. 


There  were  no  Illinois  troops  at  Bull  Run,  but  there 
were  three  citizens  of  the  state  who  took  part  in  the 
fateful  battle:  Owen  Lovejoy,  John  A.  Logan,  and 
Charles  E.  Hovey.  Since  the  murder  of  his  brother  at 
Alton  in  1837,  Lovejoy  had  been  a  fierce  and  unrelent 
ing  opponent  of  the  Slave  Power  on  the  platform,  in 
the  pulpit,  and  in  Congress,  and  was  there  to  see  the 
first  conflict  of  arms  in  the  open  field  between  Slavery 
and  Freedom.  He  carried  a  musket  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Union  forces.  Logan,  also  a  member  of  Congress,  car 
ried  a  gun  in  the  ranks  of  the  2nd  Michigan  Infantry. 
Hovey  also  had  a  musket,  but  what  organization  he 
was  with  is  not  known.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  he  was 
operating  well  to  the  front  on  his  own  account.  Four 
weeks  later  Logan  and  Hovey  were  in  camp  Butler  side 
by  side  as  colonels  of  regiments.  One  week  before  the 


Thirty-Third  started  for  the  South,  Lovejoy,  on  horse 
back,  and  now  a  colonel  on  Fremont's  staff,  gave  to 
our  regiment  one  of  those  thrilling  speeches  for  which 
that  matchless  orator  was  so  celebrated.  It  was  an 
event  long  to  be  remembered. 

Charles  E.  Hovey,  President  of  Normal  University  at 
Bloomington,  and  who  became  the  first  Colonel  of  the 
Thirty-Third  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  eminent  as  an 
educator,  an  able,  earnest  and  enthusiastic  man.  He 
had  thrown  all  his  strength  into  the  cause  of  popular 
education,  and  early  became  impressed  with  the  im- 
poitance  of  having  a  state  institution  for  the  training 
of  teachers,  who  would  be  able  to  make  the  common 
schools  of  Illinois  in  the  highest  degree  efficient  and 
useful.  With  him,  to  have  an  idea  was  to  endeavor  to 
put  it  in  practice.  He  succeeded  in  bringing  into  be- 


s 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


ing,  through  acts  of  the  Legislature,  the  State  Normal 
University,  of  which  he  was  most  fitly  made  the  Presi 
dent.  The  institution  had  hardly  a  beginning  when 
war  burst  upon  the  country,  and  the  young  men  of  the 
University  became  restless  for  service  in  the  field. 
Under  the  guidance  of  President  Hovey  a  military 
company  was  formed,  composed  of  teachers  and  stu 
dents,  and  the  drilling  of  this  company  became  a  part 
of  the  educational  work  of  the  school. 

Business  called  President  Hovey  to  Washington,  and 
he  was  there  when  the  government  forces  moved  toward 
Bull  Run.  Deeply  interested,  filled  with  ardent  pa 
triotism,  it  was  a  sure  thing  with  such  a  nature  as  his 
that  he  would  be  present  at  that  conflict.  He  was 
there,  a  soldier  in  the  ranks,  doing  service  with  his 
musket  until  the  battle  ended  in  such  disaster.  Imme 
diately  after  the  battle  he  procured  an  interview  with 
President  Lincoln,  told  him  about  his  "Normal  Com 
pany",  and  sought  and  obtained  authority  to  raise  a 
regiment  in  addition  to  the  calls  for  troops  that  had 
been  made,  of  which  that  company  of  students  should 
be  the  nucleus.  Hovey  hurried  home,  and  within  three 
weeks  nine  companies  enlisted  especially  for  his  regi 
ment  were  in  Camp  Butler  or  known  to  be  on  the  way. 
The  other  company  was  assigned  by  the  United  States 
mustering  officer,  Captain  Pitcher. 

The  regiment  at  once  became  known  as  the  "Nor 
mal"  or  "Teachers'  Regiment,"  and  attracted  to  its 
ranks  teachers  and  students  from  all  parts  of  the  state. 
In  recognition  of  its  name,  the  teachers  of  the  Chicago 
Public  Schools  kept  the  regiment  supplied  with  battle 
flags  in  all  its  campaigns.  The  colors  we  brought 
home  were  returned  to  them  at  Chicago  at  a  public 
meeting  called  to  receive  them,  and  they  expressed  the 
greatest  appreciation  that  their  banners  had  been  so 
bravely  carried  in  many  battles  of  the  war. 

In  derision  we  were  sometimes  called  the  "Brain 
Regiment",  and  it  was  stated  that  we  would  not  obey 
an  order  unless  it  was  absolutely  correct  in  syntax  and 
orthography.  It  was  also  stated  that  the  men  that 
were  discharged  for  mental  incapacity  at  once  secured 
situations  as  officers  in  other  regiments.  I  doubt  if  we 
knew  much,  if  any  more,  than  other  regiments  in  the 
volunteer  army,  but  it  was  something  to  be  proud  of 


that  in  the  Field  and  Staff  there  were  several  distin 
guished  educators,  and  in  the  Line  a  number  of  gradu 
ates  of  Normal,  two  of  Yale,  two  of  Knox,  three  of  Il 
linois  College,  and  one  of  the  University  of  Michigan; 
while  teachers  from  the  common  schools  were  thick  in 
its  ranks. 

The  first  sacrifice  of  the  Thirty-Third,  Sergeant 
George  G.  Foster,  of  Company  E,  killed  at  Big  River 
Bridge,  Mo.,  October  1.5,  1861,  graduated  at  Knox  Col 
lege  three  months  before.  In  one  company  there  were 
thirteen  graduates  of  colleges  who  were  privates  in  its 
ranks.  In  all  the  companies  were  men  in  whom  every 
officer  of  the  regiment  recognized  his  intellectual  and 
social  equal— perhaps  his  superior. 

The  day  after  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  a 
letter  came  addressed  to  a  private  soldier,  then  walking 
his  beat  on  guard.  It  was  taken  to  him  and  proved  to 
be  an  offer  of  a  professorship  in  a  prominent  Eastern 
College.  It  was  proposed  to  him  to  secure  a  discharge 
that  he  might  accept  the  position,  but  he  quickly  de 
clined  and  resumed  the  march  on  his  beat. 

There  was  no  organization  in  the  service  of  the  gov 
ernment  during  the  civil  war  that  was  braver,  more 
patriotic,  more  uncomplaining  and  patient  than  the 
Thirty-Third  Illinois,  and  it  was  on  account  of  the  in 
telligence  and  culture  of  the  men  in  the  ranks.  With 
such  material,  enlisted  under  the  impulse  of  the  high 
est  patriotism,  the  regiment  was  formed. 

On  the  30th  day  of  August,  1861,  the  Thirty-Third 
Illinois  Volunteers  was  organized  in  a  thoroughly  dem 
ocratic  manner  by  the  election  in  mass  meeting  of 

( 'harles  E.  Hovey,  Colonel. 

Edward  R.  Roe,  Major. 

Rev.  Herman  J.  Eddy,  Chaplain. 

The  other  offices  were  filled  by  appointment  by  agree 
ment  or  direction  of  that  mass  meeting,  as  follows: 

Wrn.  R.  Lockwood,  Lieut.  Colonel. 

Frederick  M.  Crandall,  Adjutant. 

Simeon  Wright,  Quartermaster. 

Dr.  Geo.  P.  Rex,  Surgeon. 

Col.  Hovey  marched  his  command  to  the  quarters  of 
Col.  Pitcher,  United  States  mustering  officer,  where 
they  solemnly  took  the  oath,  and  became  a  regiment  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 


Of  the  first.  Colonel,  Charles  E.  Hovey,  mention  has 
been  made.  Col.  Hovey  was  ambitious  for  his  regi 
ment,  and  very  ambitious  for  himself;  and  he  had  a 
right  to  be,  as  he  was  a  man  of  ability  and  attain 
ments.  Julius  Caesar  was  no  braver  than  he,  and  un 
der  no  circumstances  did  he  ever  become  excited  or  even 


fidgety.  Col.  Hovey  was  nominated  Brigadier  General 
in  September,  '62,  and  left  the  regiment  greatly  to  the 
regret  of  officers  and  men.  He  afterward  commanded 
a  brigade  under  General  Sherman  at  the  battles  of  Ar 
kansas  Post  and  Chickasaw  Bayou  and  proved  himself 
a  capable  and  daring  officer.  Col.  Hovey  was  not  con- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


9 


finned  by  the  Senate  and  left  the  service.*  Had  he  re 
mained,  I  am  confident  he  "would  have  attained  higher 
rank  and  great  distinction.  After  the  war  he  was  a 
successful  lawyer  in  Washington,  D.  C. ,  where  he  died 
in  1897.  Mrs.  Hovey,  so  affectionately  remembered  by 
the  regiment,  survives  him.  Her  home  is  in  Washing 
ton.  *It  will  be  of  interest  to  the  members  of  the  83rd 
to  know  that  Richard  Hovey,  journalist,  actor,  drama 
tist  and  English  lecturer,  who  died  Feb.  '24,  15 XX),  was 
the  son  of  our  first  Colonel.  Richard  Hovey,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  was  on  the  threshold  of  a  career  of 
high  renown  as  a  poet. 

The  Lieutenant  Colonel,  William  R.  Lockwood,  was 
from  Quincy,  Illinois.  He  was  a  man  of  excellent 
reputation  as  a  citi/en,  of  warm  patriotism,  of  fine  per 
sonal  appearance,  and  of  marked  personal  courage,  but 
he  was  unfitted  for  the  duties  of  military  life.  He  re 
signed  voluntarily  in  March,  18(>2,  leaving  behind  him 
in  the  regiment  much  regard  for  him  personally,  and  a 
warm  recognition  of  his  kindness  of  heart.  He  died  in 
Quincy  in  185)2. 

The  Major,  Edward  R.  Roe,  was  a  man  of  great 
mental  activity,  courtly  and  dignified  in  manner,  pre 
cise  in  speech  and  given  to  oratory.  It  was  lie  who 
said  when  our  regimental  number  was  given,  "We  will 
make  that  number  historic."  All  will  recall  his  dra 
matic  order  when  we  left  Arcadia,  Mo.  :  ''Thirty- 
Third,  Forward  to  Dixie!  March!"  Major  Roe  had 
seen  too  many  years  to  have  that  enthusiasm  for  mili 
tary  service  possessed  by  younger  men.  Yet  he  met 
every  duty  with  the  utmost  promptness  and  faithful 
ness.  It  is  well  known  that  he  intended  to  resign 
when  he  could  honorably  do  so;  as  he  himself  stated, 
he  could  not  afford  to  resign  until  he  had  been  in  one 
big  battle.  He  was  promoted  to  Lieut.  Colonel  in  Sep 
tember,  1862,  and  his  opportunity  for  a  "big  battle" 
came  at  Vicksburg,  May  22nd,  18<>3.  He  showed  great 
courage  on  that  memorable  day,  was  seriously  wounded 
and  at  once  resigned.  No  man  in  the  regiment  had  a 


warmer  love  of  country  than  Major  Roe;  no  kinder, 
braver,  truer  heart  beat  in  any  man's  breast  than  his. 
I  well  know  that  to  the  rank  and  file  of  the  38rd  these 
few  words  will  seem  stinted  and  insufficient  praise  of 
an  officer  so  worthy  and  beloved.  After  the  war  Col. 
Roe  was  Circuit  Clerk  of  McLean  County,  member  of 
the  Legislature,  and  Marshal  of  the  Southern  District  of 
Illinois.  He  moved  to  Chicago  and  died  there  in  185)3. 
During  his  last  days  he  spoke  frequently  and  with 
great  affection  of  his  comrades  of  the  33rd. 

One  of  the  best  of  our  regimental  anecdotes  was  in 
regard  to  Col.  Roe.  While  lying  wounded  at  Vicks 
burg,  he  was  asked  by  Col.  Lippincott  in  a  jocular  way 
if  he  was  scared  at  the  time  of  the  charge.  In  his  pre 
cise  manner  Col.  Roe  replied,  "I  do  not  think  I  was 
scared,  but  I  certainly  had  an  intellectual  perception  of 
danger. ' ' 

Frederick  M.  Crandall  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  son  of  a  physician  of  high  repute.  He  was  a  cadet 
at  West  Point  with  good  standing  in  scholarship  for 
nearly  two  years,  and  then  became  teacher  of  mathe 
matics  in  a  school  in  Baltimore.  His  appointment  to 
our  regiment  was  a  most  fortunate  one  for  us,  as  his 
military  knowledge  probably  exceeded  that  of  all  the 
regiment  beside,  and  in  the  organization  and  early  in 
struction  of  the  officers  he  rendered  valuable  services. 
His  official  value  and  genial  manners  won  him  the  re 
gard  of  all  and  the  best  wishes  when  he  left  us  for  the 
discharge  of  higher  duties.  Adjutant  Crandall  was  ap 
pointed  Colonel  of  the  48th  U.  8.  C.  I.  and  served 
through  the  war  in  that  rank.  At  the  close  of  hostili 
ties  he  was  made  an  officer  in  the  regular  army,  and  is 
now  retired  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  he  lives  in 
Aberdeen,  Washington. 

Simeon  Wright,  Quartermaster,  had  been  intimately 
connected  with  the  establishment  of  the  State  Normal 
University,  and  was  one  of  its  trustees,  and  his  inter 
est  with  all  connected  with  the  institution  led  to  his 
association  with  the  regiment  at  its  formation.  He 


*NOTE. 

When  the  Senate  was  about  to  act  on  the  confirm 
ation  of  the  nomination  of  Col.  Hovey  to  be  Brig- 
adier  General,  it  was  of  the  opinion  that  President 
.Lincoln's  list  of  one  hundred  and  forty  brigadiers  was 
too  large,  and  returned  it  with  the  request  that  it  be  re 
duced  to  one  hundred.  The  first  list  contained  the 
names  of  two  men  from  Bloomington  ;  one  was  Gen.  W. 
W.  Orme,  who  had  been  Colonel  of  the  94th  111.,  which 
regiment  was  wholly  from  McLean  County.  In  Gen. 
Hovey's  regiment  less  than  one-third  of  the  members 
were  from  McLean  County.  In  revising  his  list  of 
brigadiers,  the  President  was  assisted  by  such  Bloom 
ington  men  as  the  Hon.  David  Davis  and  the  Hon. 
Leonard  Swett,  intimate  friends  of  both  Orme  and  the 
President,  and  as  a  matter  of  course  Gen.  Orme's  name 
was,  for  personal  and  geographical  reasons,  the  one  sent 
to  the  Senate.  I  have  seen  the  little  enamelled  card  in 


President  Lincoln's  own  handwriting  almost  exactly 
in  these  words : 

"I  distinctly  promise  to  re-appoint  Charles  PI  Hovey 
Brigadier  General  on  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman's  written 
request  therefor.  A.  LINCOLN." 

General  Sherman  was  at  first  willing  to  make  this  re 
quest,  but  by  the  time  it  came  before  him  in  the  reg 
ular  order  of  business  months  after,  he  saw  that  such  a 
re-appointment  would  work  injustice  to  the  rank  of 
other  officers  and  he  WHS  very  reluctantly  obliged  to  de 
cline  the  recommendation,  although  Gen.  Hovey  was  a 
great  favorite  and  he  had  chosen  him  to  be  in  com 
mand  of  his  advance  brigade  at  the  battles  of  Chicka- 
saw  Bayou  and  Arkansas  Post.  At  the  latter  battle 
Hovey  was  wounded  in  each  arm  by  a  bullet,  which 
from  all  appearances  was  believed  to  have  passed 
through  both  arms. 

The  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Normal,  Illinois,  is  named 
Charles  E.  Hovey  Post.  J.  H.  BURNHAM. 


10 


GENERAL  HISTOK  Y. 


was  not  specially  adapted  by  any  previous  business 
habits  or  training  for  the  position,  but  no  man  could 
have  had  a  warmer  personal  interest  in  a  regiment  than 
he  displayed  for  the  33rd.  He  had  a  kind  of  parental 
feeling  for  it,  and  in  a  thousand  ways  expressed  it. 
He  had  at  the  beginning  and  at  the  close  of  his  service 
the  help  of  active  and  intelligent  men  of  far  better  bus 
iness  abilities  than  his  own,  by  whose  aid  he  made 
himself  an  efficient  officer.  He  shrank  from  no  duty, 
and  seemed  to  delight  in  the  most  arduous  labor.  Such 
was  his  interest  in  "the  boys",  as  he  always  called  the 
soldiers,  his  pity  for  their  hardships,  and  anxiety  for 
their  welfare,  that  I  am  sure  that  all  the  survivors  of 
the  early  members  of  the  regiment  cherish  kindly 
memories  of  "Uncle  Sim",  and  regret  he  lived  so  short 
a  time  after  the  close  of  his  term  of  service. 

Dr.  George  P.  Rex  was  the  Surgeon  of  the  regiment, 
and  proved  a  most  skillful,  able  and  efficient  officer. 
He  was  a  student  under  the  father  of  Gen.  George  B. 
McClellan,  arid  a  graduate  of  Jefferson  Medical  College. 
He  was  a  good  physician,  and  a  bold  and  skillful  oper 
ator,  more  conservative  than  most  army  surgeons,  and 
many  of  the  surviving  wounded  of  the  regiment  have 
this  trait  of  his  professional  character  to  thank  for  be 
ing  still  in  possession  of  limbs  which  would  have  been 
lost  had  they  been  treated  by  a  surgeon  of  another  type. 
He  was  an  alert  and  forceful  executive  of  his  depart 
ment,  always  prepared  for  a  battle  or  any  emergency, 
and  those  who  saw  him  at  "sick  call"  or  at  the  op 
erating  table,  knew  the  right  man  was  in  the  right 
place. 

The  doctor  always  had  a  small  brigade  out  foraging 
for  the  hospital  and  his  "mess",  and  I  never  knew  the 
time  when  he  was  short  of  supplies  for  either.  No 
matter  how  badly  off'  we  were  for  transportation,  no 
matter  about  ammunition  or  quartermaster  stores, 
"Angeline",  a  fat  colored  woman,  the  doctor's  cook, 
had  to  be  taken  along  in  comfort  and  safety.  I  believe 
every  successive  commanding  officer  had  a  tilt  with 
Surgeon  Rex  about  transporting  "Angeline".  How 
ever,  Angeline  showed  up  at  the  end  of  every  march, 
and  she  had  not  done  any  walking,  either.  Always 
ready  to  favorably  endorse  a  discharge  or  leave  of  ab 
sence,  I  was  sometimes  led  to  think  that  if  not  inter 
fered  with  he  would  have  the  regiment  on  furlough 
half  the  time. 

After  the  war  the  doctor's  kindness  of  heart  and 
well  kept  records  were  great  aids  to  many  men  in  secur 
ing  deserved  pensions.  While  he  lived  he  was  nearly 
always  present  at  our  reunions,  making  long  journeys 
to  meet  the  comrades  he  loved  so  well.  Had  we  the 
pick  of  the  whole  medical  profession,  I  doubt  if  we 
could  have  found  a  better  surgeon  or  more  devoted 
friend.  Dr.  Rex  was  the  only  officer  in  the  Thirty- 
Third  who  served  in  the  same  rank  from  muster  in  to 
muster  out.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Reaville,  New 
Jersey,  in  1889. 

Of  Dr.  Nathan  W,  Abbott,  First  Assistant  Sur 
geon,  I  have  slight  remembrance,  as  he  was  but  a  short 


time  with  the  regiment.  However,  I  know  he  was 
held  in  high  esteem  as  a  physician,  and  was  regarded 
as  a  man  of  dignity  and  ability. 

Rev.  Herman  J.  Eddy,  of  Bloomington,  was  elected 
the  first  Chaplain.  He  was  of  the  Baptist  communion, 
but  his  theology  placed  no  limit  on  the  catholic  spirit 
and  Christian  sympathies  of  the  man.  I  think  Ife  un 
derrated  his  own  usefulness,  and  was  not  aware  of  the 
good  which  he  did  by  the  example  of  his  daily  life  and 
the  warm  interest  he  felt  in  the  soldiers  of  the  com 
mand.  When  he  resigned  from  a  sense  of  duty,  and  a 
feeling  that  he  could  do  more  good  in  his  old  line  of 
professional  life,  he  took  with  him  the  high  respect  of 
men  and  officers,  who  were  confident  of  his  sincerity 
and  his  desire  to  do  good  to  men. 

I  come  now  to  the  successors  of  the  original  Field 
and  Staff.  Captain  Charles  E.  Lippincott,  of  Com 
pany  K,  succeeded  Lockwood  as  Lieut.  Colonel.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  when  five  days  out  from  Ar 
cadia,  March  5th,  1862,  an  election  was  ordered  by  Col. 
Hovey  for  the  selection  of  Lieutenant  Colonel.  The 
vote  was  first  taken  as  to  whether  promotion  should  be 
regular.  The  vote  was  121  for,  003  against.  The  can 
didates  there  voted  for  were  Major  Roe,  Captains  Pot 
ter,  Lippincott,  and  Elliott,  and  Adjutant  Crandall. 
The  result  was  Elliott  388,  Roe  94,  Lippincott  89,  Cran 
dall  69,  Potter  4<>;  Elliott  over  all,  98.  There  was  no 
good  reason  why  Major  Roe  should  not  have  had  the 
promotion,  and  Potter,  senior  captain,  Advanced  to 
Major.  They  were  both  better  officers  than  Lippincott, 
most  certainly  Potter.  Before  this  election  was  held 
Col.  Hovey  had  decided  that  Lippincott  should  be 
Lieut.  Col.,  and  he  knew  also  at  the  time  he  ordered 
the  election  that  Lippincott  was  in  Springfield,  111., 
and  probably  would  be  commissioned  by  the  governor, 
which  he  was.  The  following  September  Col.  Hovey 
was  appointed  Brigadier  General,  Lippincott  taking 
the  Colonelcy,  and  Roe  and  Potter  very  properly  suc 
ceeding  as  Lieut,  Colonel  and  Major. 

Notwithstanding  his  inability  to  execute  the  sim 
plest  maneuvers  with  the  regiment.  Col.  Lippincott 
proved  a  valuable  officer,  brave  and  generous,  and  al 
ways  alive  to  the  welfare  of  his  men.  He  was  a  man 
of  fine  ability,  a  rare  conversationalist  and  story  teller, 
and  few  could  excel  him  in  writing  good  English. 
His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Major  Abraham  Liggett, 
of  the  army  of  the  revolution,  and  a  sister  of  William 
Liggett,  so  conspicuous  in  his  day  as  editor  of  the  New 
York  "Evening  Post".  Gen.  Lippincott  was  a  gradu 
ate  of  Illinois  College,  and  of  the  St.  Louis  Medical 
College.  He  had  a  wide  acquaintance  with  men  and 
affairs,  having  gone  to  California  in  1853,  where  he 
was  elected  to  the  state  senate,  at  the  time  there  was 
such  a  bitter  struggle  between  the  slave  and  free  state 
men  for  its  control.  It  was  on  Lippincott's  motion 
that  the  senate  refused  by  a  majority  of  one  vote  to  go 
into  convention  for  the  election  of  United  States  Sena 
tor,  when  such  convention  would  have  resulted  in  the 
election  of  Gov.  Foote  of  Mississippi.  Lippincott  ac- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


11 


com  pan  led  his  friend,  Senator  Broderick,  to  Washing 
ton  and  saw  him  sworn  in  March  4,  1857. 

While  editing  a  paper  Lippincott  became  involved  in 
a  controversy  which  led  to  a  duel  and  the  death  of  his 
antagonist.  He  was  extremely  reluctant  to  speak  of 
this  unfortunate  incident  in  his  life,  and  I  think  he 
told  me  more  about  it  than  he  ever  did  anyone  else. 
The  story  was  only  drawn  from  him  little  by  little 
during  the  years  we  sat  together  by  the  camp  tires, 
where  a  man  is  most  likely  to  turn  his  heart  inside  out. 
It  always  seemed  to  me  that  this  tragedy  was  very  like, 
and  quite  as  thrilling,  as  the  fatal  encounter  between 
Gen.  Jackson  and  Charles  Dickinson.  Believing  the 
story  should  be  perpetuated,  and  that  it  will  be  of  in 
terest  to  Gen.  Lippincott's  old  comrades,  I  will  give  a 
short  account  of  it. 

In  a  bitter  political  controversy,  Lippincott  was 
challenged  to  a  duel  by  a  Mr.  Tevis.  In  those  days, 
and  in  that  place,  to  refuse  a  challenge  was  to  turn  tail 
and  leave  the  state.  We  can  understand  that  Charles 
E.  Lippincott  was  not  the  man  to  accept  the  latter  al 
ternative.  The  challenge  was  accepted  and  rifles  the 
weapons  selected.  During  the  two  days  before  the 
meeting,  Lippincott  was  informed  by  his  friends  that 
Tevis  was  practicing  shooting  at  sardine  boxes,  and 
putting  every  shot  in  the  box,  and  was  urge,d  to  do 
some  practicing  himself.  He  informed  them  that  their 
report  was  not  greatly  encouraging,  but  that  he  could 
hardly  improve  his  poor  markmanship  in  the  short 
time  that  would  intervene,  and  refused  to  touch  his 
rifle  until  it  was  placed  in  his  hands  for  the  encounter. 
When  the  time  came  Lippincott  was  placed,  designed 
ly,  as  he  thought,  with  his  back  to  a  large  tree  in  order 
to  afford  his  antagonist  a  most  certain  aim.  The  word 
was  given  and  both  fired.  A  ball  cut  a  yellow  lock 
from  Lippincott's  temple,  but  Tevis  fell  dead  in  his 
tracks.  While  he  could  not  have  done  other  than  he 
did,  this  event  was  ever  after  a  shadow  upon  his  life. 
Broderick  met  him  shortly  after  the  occurrence,  and 
grasping  his  hand  said,  "Charley,  all  the  free  state 
men  are  safer  for  your  heroism."  It  was  not  long  un 
til  Broderick  was  killed  in  a  duel  by  Judge  Terry.  Af 
ter  her  husband's  death,  Mrs.  Lippincott  sent  me  as  a 
keepsake  a  photograph  of  Senator  Broderick  which  he 
had  carefully  preserved  since  his  California  days. 

Col.  Lippincott  was  made  Brigadier  General  by  brev 
et  in  September,  1865,  and  resigned.  After  his  return 
to  civil  life,  he  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  Con 
gress  in  a  strongly  Democratic  district,  was  doorkeeper 
in  the  house  of  Representatives  at  Washington,  and 
served  two  terms  as  Auditor  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 


He  was  Superintendent  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  in  Quin- 
cy,  111.,  and  died  there  of  paralysis  in  September,  1887, 
and  was  buried  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  was  a 
brave  soldier  and  stanch  friend.  In  grateful  remem 
brance  of  their  kindly  interest  in  old  soldiers  and  sail 
ors,  a  beautiful  memorial  hall  has  been  erected  at  the 
Home  dedicated  to  Gen.  Lippincott  and  his  wife. 

Captain  Leander  H.  Potter  had  been  a  teacher  in 
Normal,  and  upon  the  organization  of  Company  A  was 
chosen  to  be  its  chief  without  question.  He  was  among 
the  best  and  perhaps  the  best  captain  in  the  33rd.  His 
company  was  always  soldierly  and  efficient,  and  he  took 
his  executive  qualities  with  him  when  he  became  Major 
and  Lieut.  Colonel.  Officers  and  men  had  great  respect 
for  him  at  all  times,  and  great  confidence  in  him  as  an 
officer.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Yale,  a  gentleman  and  a 
scholar,  and  our  referee  in  all  matters  literary  and  his 
torical  that  were  discussed  around  the  camp  fires.  At 
times  he  was  melancholy,  almost  taciturn,  but  gener 
ally  most  genial  and  companionable.  He  was  brave 
and  level-headed  in  battle,  and  I  regarded  him  as  the 
best  executive  and  disciplinarian  of  any  officer  who 
commanded  the  regiment.  The  splendid  drill  and  dis 
cipline  of  the  33rd  was  largely  due  to  him. 

Col.  Potter  was  twice  wounded  in  battle,  and  his 
high  character  and  soldierly  qualities  made  him  a  great 
honor  to  the  regiment.  He  resigned  in  September, 
1864,  and  became  principal  of  the  Beloit  High  School 
at  Beloit,  Wisconsin.  In  1867  he  accepted  the  presi 
dency  of  the  Illinois  Soldiers'  College  at  Fulton,  a  state 
institution  for  the  education  of  soldiers  and  their  sons. 
He  continued  in  this  position  until  1871,  when  he  be 
came  President  of  the  Northern  Illinois  College  at  the 
same  place.  He  afterwards  taught  in  the  Chicago 
schools  until  1876,  when  he  was  made  professor  of  Log 
ic,  Rhetoric,  and  English  Literature  in  Knox  College, 
at  Galesburg,  111.  Increasing  ill  health  compelled  him 
to  abandon  his  work,  and  on  July  18,  1879,  he  passed 
away.  His  malady  was  consumption,  aggravated  by 
the  wounds  he  received  in  the  war.  I  have  no  infor 
mation  as  to  Col.  Potter's  family,  farther  than  he  has  a 
son,  Herman  H.  Potter,  a  young  man  of  promise,  who 
is  engaged  in  newspaper  work  at  Galesburg. 

Isaac  H.  Elliott,  Captain  of  Company  E,  followed 
Potter  as  Major  and  Lieut.  Colonel ;  was  promoted  Colo 
nel  in  September,  1865,  and  was  made  Brigadier  Gen 
eral  by  brevet  to  date  from  March  13,  1865.  He  was 
never  absent  from  the  regiment  on  any  campaign, 
march  or  battle,  except  Fredericktown,  and  he  was  then 
a  prisoner  on  parole.  He  now  lives  near  Roswell,  New 
Mexico.* 


*NOTE. 

Some  of  us  are  not  willing  to  let  Col.  Elliott  do  all 
the  story  telling,  now  that  the  fight  is  over.  Elliott 
was  Captain  of  Co.  E  when  the  regiment  first  assem 
bled.  A  graduate  of  Michigan  University  in.  the  class 
of  '61,  he  failed  to  get  into  the  three  months'  service 
with  his  company  of  college  boys,  and  so  missed  Bull 


Run.  He  had  all  the  academic  qualifications  for  the 
' :  brain  regiment, ' '  and  others  equally  valuable.  Nature 
herself  had  been  more  lavish  with  good  gifts  to  him 
than  to  most  of  us.  Tall,  dark,  athletic,  handsome, 
vigorous  and  alert,  both  in  body  and  mind,  he  looked 
to  be  our  ideal  soldier  even  before  we  knew  his  quality. 
A  born  leader  of  men,  the  yoke  of  his  authority  did 


GENERA  L  HfSTOJf  F. 


Henry  H.  Pope  came  from  the  ranks  of  teachers,  hav 
ing  begun  his  profession  when  he  was  but  fifteen 
years  old.  He  was  one  of  the  first  students  of  Normal, 
and  joined  the  33rd  as  Captain  of  Company  D ;  was  ad 
vanced  to  Major  in  October,  '64,  and  Lieut.  Colonel  in 
September,  '(55.  Col.  Pope  was  a  bright  and  energetic 
officer,  short  in  stature,  but  every  inch  a  soldier.  Our 
regiment  could  boast  of  no  braver  or  more  faithful 
officer  than  Henry  H.  P.ope.  When  we  passed  through 
the  Teche  country  in  the  delightful  October  days  of 
18G3,  Col.  Pope  was  greatly  attracted  by  its  beauty  and 
fertility,  and  stated  that  when  the  war  was  over  he 
would  come  back  for  another  look  at  it.  Within  a  year 
after  our  muster  out  he  did  return  to  Franklin,  La.,  to 
engage  in  business  there  or  in  the  vicinity. 

I  need  not  recall  the  bitter  hostility  that  existed  in 
those  days  all  through  the  South  to  Northern  men  who 
came  seeking  homes  or  business.  Col.  Pope  could  not 
have  found  any  region  where  this  feeling  was  more  in 
tense  than  the  place  at  which  he  located.  In  the 
spring  of  1868  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  St.  Mary's  Par 
ish  by  a  majority  of  twelve  hundred.  He  was  warned 
again  and  again  that  if  he  attempted  to  exercise  the 
duties  of  the  office  it  would  be  at  the  sacrifice  of  his 
life,  but  with  the  same  courage  he  had  shown  on  many 
a  battlefield  he  stood  at  his  post.  On  October  17,  1868, 


Col.  Pope,  with  his  little  son  by  his  side,  was  sitting  on 
the  porch  of  the  hotel  in  Franklin,  when  a  body  of  uni 
formed  Southerners  approached  and  without  warning 
fired  upon  him  ;  seven  balls  entered  his  body,  killing 
him  instantly.  Thus  ended  the  gallant  career  of  our 
noble  comrade,  cut  short  by  lawless  assassins.  The  be 
reaved  and  distracted  wife  was  alone  among  strangers 
and  enemies,  and  not  the  slightest  sympathy  was  shown 
her  except  by  a  Mrs.  Parkerson,  a  teacher  of  a  colored 
school,  and  an  old  negro  who  placed  the  body  of  Col. 
Pope  in  a  rude  box  and  bore  it  to  the  boat  to  be  taken 
to  New  Orleans.  Upon  arrival  in  that  city,  a  meeting 
of  ex-soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  United  States  was 
called  at  Mechanics'  Institute  to  testify  their  respect 
to  their  murdered  comrade.  The  meeting  was  partici 
pated  in  by  Senator  William  P.  Kellogg  ;  d!en.  McMil 
lan,  who  commanded  our  brigade  in  the  16th  Corps ; 
Col.  H.  C.  Warmoth,  who  was  chief  of  McClernand's 
staff;  Orlando  H.  Brewster,  formerly  of  K  Company, 
then  President  of  Louisiana  State  Senate;  Hon.  Frank 
Morey,  formerly  of  Company  B,  and  Generals  Lee  and 
West.  Gen.  Ilosseau,  commanding  the  Department  of 
Louisiana,  attended  the  exercises  with  his  staff.  A 
funeral  procession  of  one  thousand  old  soldiers  escorted 
the  remains  to  the  boat  for  passage  up  the  river.  At 
the  landing  a  brief  and  touching  prayer  was  offered  by 


not  gall  his  subordinates.  His  enthusiasm  for  the  cause 
and  devotion  to  duty  were  inspiring.  The  drill  and 
discipline  of  his  company  soon  attracted  attention,  and 
became  an  example.  The  fir&t  blood  drawn  by  the 
enemy's  lead  was  from  his  company.  Wounded,  over 
whelmed  and  captured  in  his  first  fight — an  affair  at  a 
railroad  bridge— he  worked  untiringly  for  and  finally 
secured  an  exchange,  against  obstacles  which  to  most 
men  would  have  been  insurmountable.  This  was  his 
only  absence  from  the  regiment  during  its  entire  ser 
vice.  As  early  as  March,  '62,  he  received  a  vote  of  con 
fidence  from  the  entire  regiment,  the  only  time  the 
rank  and  file  ever  had  a  chance  to  vote.  He  had  a  just 
pride  in  the  military  appearance,  drill,  discipline  and 
fighting  efficiency  of  the  regiment,  and  worked  intelli 
gently  and  unceasingly  for  its  betterment.  It  went 
without  saying  during  the  service  that  he  could  get 
more  out  of  them,  either  in  drill,  march  or  fight,  than 
any  other  commander,  and  this  after  all  is  the  supreme 
test.  His  place  in  the  memory  and  hearts  of  his  com 
rades  of  the  entire  regiment  is  secure. 

But  what  of  the  thirty-seven  years  since  the  war 
closed?  Elliott  was  elected  treasurer  of  Bureau  county 
while  still  in  the  service;  he  ran  for  Congress  in  1872, 
but  was  beaten,  mainly,  no  doubt,  because  the  33rd  111. 
did  not  reside  in  that  district;  he  was  a  Garfield  elector 
in  1880;  was  Adjt.  Gen.  of  Illinois  from  1881  to  1884, 
and  while  in  that  office  rescued  the  battle  flags  of  the 
Illinois  regiments  from  boxes  in  the  basement  of  the 
Capitol  and  had  them  arranged  for  preservation  in 
proper  cases,  under  a  custodian,  in  the  present  flag 
room;  he  also  reorganized  the  National  Guard  of  that 


State  and  formed  them  into  regiments,  and  compiled 
and  published,  from  the  scattered  records,  a  history  of 
the  Illinois  volunteers  in  the  Black  Hawk  and  Mexican 
wars.  He  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  lived  until 
1804,  when  he  went  to  New  Mexico,  and  engaged  in 
the  cattle  business. 

Col.  Elliott  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Eli/abeth 
Den  ham,  step-daughter  of  Hon.  Owen  Lovejoy.  She 
was  a  co-worker  with  Lovejoy  in  the  strenuous  anti- 
slavery  times,  and  was  his  secretary  during  his  stormy 
days  in  congress.  She  fully  shares  her  husband's  love 
and  devotion  to  the  memories  of  the  33rd.  Something 
of  her  ability  and  knowledge  of  inside  regimental  his 
tory  may  be  inferred  from  her  address  at  the  Bloom- 
ington  reunion,  given  in  the  main  narrative. 

They  have  four  sons,  two  in  New  York  City,  and  the 
two  younger  with  their  parents  in  New  Mexico.  The 
eldest  son,  .John  Lovejoy,  graduated  in  M)2  at  Cor 
nell,  and  two  years  later  from  the  University  of  Halle 
in  Germany. 

Col.  Elliott  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  field  officers, 
and  the  passing  years  seem  to  have  dealt  kindly  with 
him.  He  is  said  to  have  never  known  a  day's  illness 
in  his  life,  and  his  form  is  as  erect  as  when  he  marched 
with  the  33rd.  Those  who  did  not  know  him  in  the 
war  time  will  be  surprised  to  hear  that  he  has  not  a 
single  grey  hair  on  the  top  of  his  head. 

That  he,  and  all  his  tribe,  may  live  long  and  prosper, 
will  be  the  sincere  wish  of  all  his  former  comrades  in 
arms.  GEO.  E.  SMITH, 

E.  AARON  GOVE, 
EDWARD  J.  LEWIS. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


13 


the  distinguished  Rtv.  Dr.  Newman.  Tlie'  body  of 
Col.  Pope  arrived  at  his  old  home,  Pana,  111.,  on  Octo 
ber  29th,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors,  the  cit 
izens  assembling  in  mass  to  honor  the  gallant  and 
martyred  soldier. 

After  this- sad  story,  it  may  seem  out  of  place  to  follow 
it  with  an  incident  in  a  different  vein,  but  in  all  the 
years  that  have  gone  I  have  nevei  thought  of  Lippin 
cott  and  Pope  without  the  following  occurrence  coming 
to  my  mind  : 

When  the  headquarters  were  at  Torre  Bonne,  La., 
Lippincott,  Pope  and  I  had  our  cots  in  the  same  room 
in  the  warehouse  at  that  place.  \Ve  had  received  or 
ders  that  the  regiment  would  be  inspected  on  a  certain 
date  by  a  staff  officer  of  Gen.  Canby.  In  order  to 
make  a  creditable  appearance,  the  Colonel  and  Major 
.had  ordered  new  uniform  trousers  from  New  Orleans. 
They  arrived  late  in  the  evening  before  inspection  and 
were  placed  by  their  servants  on  chairs  by  their  cots 
ready  for  use  in  the  morning ;  but  like  the  babies  in 
the  story,  they  became  mixed  up  and  were  placed  on 
the  wrong  chairs.  Major  Pope  was  up  early  and  found 
his  trousers  a  world  too  long,  and  with  characteristic 
energy  hurried  to  the  regimental  tailor  and  had  about 
eight  inches  cut  from  the  bottom  of  the  legs,  returning 
in  time  to  witness  Lippincott  making  his  toilette,  and 
to  hear  his  opening  remarks  in  regard  to  the  intelli 
gence  of  the  architect  of  his  unmentionables.  When 
the  Colonel  discovered  that  about  a  foot  had  been  taken 
from  his  new  and  expensive  trousers,  the  welkin  began 
to  resound,  and  the  atmosphere  grew  blue  and  lurid. 
For  the  next  few  moments  the  conversation  between 
those  fiery  officers  was  of  a  rather  sensational  character. 
As  I  observed  Lippincott  lowering  his  new  pants  to 
the  necessary  level  by  means  of  a  string,  I  thought  it 
full  compensation  for  the  fatigue  and  trials  of  all  our 
campaigns. 

Elijah  H.  Gray  rose  from  the  ranks  to  be  Captain  of 
Company  P',  and  was  the  last  addition  to  the  Field, 
succeeding  Pope  as  Major.  He  was-:  a  quiet,  earnest, 
and  most  worthy  man.  Any  defect  in  education  he 
made  up  from  a  store  of  good  sense,  and  proved  a  relia 
ble  and  valuable  officer.  In  1H71  Major  Gray  resumed 
his  occupation  of  blacksmith  at  Rushville,  111.,  was 
taken  ill  and  died  quite  suddenly  in  that  year. 

Lieut  JO.  A.  Gove  succeeded  Crandall  in  September, 
18(52.  No  regiment  had  a  better  Adjutant  than  Aaron 
Gove.  He  was  well  up  in  all  the  duties  of  the  posi 
tion,  from  "briefing"  a  letter  to  the  intricacies  of  the 
"guard  mount".  He  always  brought  a  smile  with  an 
order  to  the  captains  of  companies,  and  the  more  disa 
greeable  the  order,  the  broader  the  smile.  I  remem 
ber  on  one  occasion  it  was  particularly  broad.  When  in 
a  hurry  Col.  Lippincott  ordered  a  detail  for  picket  duty 
of  "twenty-five  officers  and  one  man".  Gove  had  a 
hard  time  of  it.  He  was  sensitive  to  the  last  degree, 
and  the  mistakes  that  were  often  made  at  headquarters, 
and  on  ceremonial  occasions,  worried  him  greatly,  but 
he  was  always  loyal,  patient  and  uncomplaining. 


In  1878  Adjutant  Gove  took  the  honorary  degree  of  A. 
M.  at  Dartmouth  College;  L.  L.  D.  at  University  of 
Colorado  in  1888;  was  President  of  the  National  Edu 
cational  Association  the  same  year,  and  has  held  other 
offices  of  honor  and  importance.  Since  1874  he  has 
been  Superintendent  of  City  Schools  at  Denver,  Colo. 

Sergeant  Major  Duncan  G.  Ingraham  became  Adju 
tant  in  June,  18(i4.  Ingraham  was  a  studious  and 
painstaking  young  fellow.  He  had  carried  a  musket 
in  the  ranks  of  Company  B,  and  was  promoted  for  his 
ability  and  good  soldiership.  Since  the  war  Adjutant 
Ingraham 's  career  has  been  varied,  but  a  success.  For 
four  years  he  was  a  Unitarian  preacher  in  Pennsylva 
nia,  Wisconsin  and  California;  teacher  in  public  schools 
in  California,  Oregon  and  Washington  for  eleven  years, 
surveyor  for  railroad  companies  for  five  years  in  Ore 
gon,  Washington  and  Idaho,  and  postmaster  at  Waits- 
burg,  Washington,  under  Harrison  and  Cleveland,  and 
is  now  farmer  and  surveyor  at  Waitsburg. 

Richard  B.  Fulks,  "Dick",  as  we  called  him,  suc 
ceeded  "Uncle  Sim"  as  quartermaster.  He  was  an 
efficient  young  officer,  tireless  and  faithful  in  attention 
to  his  department.  He  has  been  successful  in  business 
at  his  old  home  in  Beardstown,  111.,  where  he  still 
lives. 

Dr.  Edwin  May  lived  in  Missouri  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  war,  and  was,  of  course,  a  stanch  Union  man. 
He  was  driven  from  his  home  by  bushwhackers.  After 
spending  some  time  in  a  log  jail  he  escaped  to  Ironton, 
where  he  joined  the  regiment  in  the  winter  of  Mil  and 
'(>2.  He  was  made  Ass't  Surgeon  on  the  resignation  of 
Dr.  Abbott.  If  there  was  a  member  of  the  regiment 
that  did  not  love  and  respect  Dr.  May,  I  never  met 
him.  He  was  so  gentlemanly  and  genial,  so  sympa 
thetic  and  gentle  with  the  sick  and  wounded,  that  he 
won  the  affection  of  everyone.  He  was  promoted  Sur 
geon  of  the  With  Illinois  in  July,  18<i4,  and  right  sorry 
we  were  to  lose  him.  After  he  left  the  army  Dr.  May 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  in  southeast 
Missouri,  and  died  in  Annapolis,  that  state,  in  18!)3. 
He  was  married  in  1807.  His  wife,  with  three  daugh 
ters,  all  graduates  of  Oberlin  College,  survives  him  at 
Oberlin,  Ohio.  We  mourn  with  them  the  loss  of  that 
splendid  man. 

Of  Ass't  Surgeon  Hugh  L.  Wallace  I  have  faint  rec 
ollection,  as  he  was  with  the  regiment  but  a  few  weeks. 

Henry  T.  Antes  came  to  us  in  November,  18(>2,  as 
Second  Ass't  Surgeon,  and  remained  until  he  was  pro 
moted  Surgeon  of  the  47th  111.  He  was  a  gentleman  of 
superior  education,  devoted  to  the  regiment,  and  after 
the  war  attained  great  eminence  in  bis  profession  at 
Geneseo,  111.,  where  he  died  October  23rd,  18H!>,  leaving 
a  wife  and  two  daughters.  To  them  the  old  comrades 
of  Dr.  Antes  extend  the  deepest  sympathy. 

Oliver  P.  Bex,  son  of  Surgeon  Geo.  P.  Rex,  was  one 
of  the  brightest  of  the  many  bright  young  men  of  the 
33rd.  He  was  for  a  long  time  Hospital  Steward,  and 
by  his  unflagging  energy  and  kindness  won  the  affec 
tion  of  every  man  in  the  regiment,  and  was  made 


14 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


Ass't  Surgeon  in  August,  M5f).  He  should  have  had  the 
place  when  it  was  given  to  Dr.  Wallace  Dr.  Rex 
graduated  at  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1867,  and  for 
many  years  was  a  lecturer  in  that  institution.  Since 
1891  he  has  held  the  responsible  position  of  Medical  Di 
rector  for  the  Pennsylvania  Life  Insurance  Company. 

Nathaniel  P.  Coltrin,  our  second  and  last  Chaplain, 
was  a  good  and  earnest  man  and  an  honor  to  his  calling. 
I  doubt  if  any  regiment  was  provided  with  better  or 
more  devoted  men  than  Chaplains  Eddy  and  Coltrin. 
Yet  T  do  not  recall  any  "stirring  revivals"  in  the  Thir 
ty-Third.  We  were  not  so  much  in  the  war  to  save  our 
souls  as  to  save  the  country. 

Of  the  Non-Commissioned  Staff,  I  can  speak  with 
enthusiasm.  While  he  was  with  us,  none  knew  how 
much  ability  was  wrapped  up  in  Elmer  Washburn. 
Chief  of  the  United  States  Detective  Service,  Chief  of 
Chicago  Police,  Bank  Examiner,  Bank  President  and 
all-round  business  man,  are  pretty  good  evidences 
that  we  had  a  first-class  Quartermaster  Sergeant  to  begin 
with.  Washburn  now  lives  in  comfortable  retirement 
in  an  elegant  home  in  Chicago,  4559  Woodlawn  Ave. 

Elijah  L.  Dexter,  of  Company  E,  was  made  Quarter 
master  Sergeant  January  1,  18(>4.  He  was  a  most  esti 
mable  man  and  thorough  going  soldier.  His  wife 
writes  from  Columbia,  Tenn.,  where  Dexter  sleeps,  the 
only  Union  soldier  in  the  cemetery  at  that  place:  "I 
hope  you  will  give  my  husband's  name  and  his  services 
honorable  mention  in  your  history,  for  he  was  a  gallant 
soldier,  and  a  truly  loyal  man,  and  he  gave  four  years 
and  three  months  of  his  young  manhood  to  the  cause 
which  was  so  dear  to  you  all".  I  cordially  endorse 
every  word  of  this  pathetic  letter.  Much  more  could 
be  said  in  his  honor.  His  son,  John  C.  Dexter,  is  a 
prominent  lawyer  in  Columbia,  Tenn. 

The  well  kept  records  of  the  regiment  bear  evidence 
of  the  skill  and  faithfulness  of  Sergeant  Major  John 
Leys.  His  quiet  demeanor  and  sterling  character  will 
be  remembered  by  all  who  had  anything  to  do  with 
him.  An  overload  of  modesty  was  his  one  great  fault. 
He  lives  at  Eureka,  111. 

John  X.  Wilson  was  the  first  Sergeant  Major  of  the 
regiment,  and  for  his  high  character  and  ability  was 
promoted  to  a  Lieutenancy  in  Company  F. 

Samuel  Tilden,  the  first  Commissary  Sergeant,  was 
discharged  for  disability  early  in  1862.  All  that  I  can 
learn  about  him  is  that  he  died  somewhere  in  the  state 
of  New  York  about  five  years  ago. 

Of  Luther  H.  Prosser,  our  next  and  last  Commissary 
Sergeant,  I  can  speak  with  unstinted  praise.  Capable, 


even  tempered  and  level  beaded,  he  was  a  man  to  tie 
to.  If  he  had  a  fault,  it  was  in  being  a  bit  too  honest 
and  impartial.  1  was  certain  that  Prosser  would  make 
his  mark  somewhere,  and  I  am  glad  to  know  that  my 
prophecy  has  been  fulfilled.  After  the  war  he  became 
a  successful  farmer  in  Eillmore  county,  Minn.,  was 
elected  to  the  legislature  in  1886,  and  placed  on  the 
committee  on  temperance  as  a  matter  of  course— he  was 
continually  on  that  committee  in  the  33rd.  He  intro 
duced  and  forced  to  a  successful  issue  the  bill  known  as 
the  "High  License  Bill",  which  became  a  law,  and 
has  been  on  the  statute  book  of  the  state  ever  since. 
He  served  one  term  as  Member  of  the  State  Board  of 
Agriculture.  He  is  now  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  the 
Tenth  Judicial  District,  at  Preston,  Minn.  He  has  a 
wife,  and  sons  and  daughters,  for  whom  his  experience 
in  the  army  makes  him  an  efficient  Commissary. 

I  regret  that  I  have  no  information  in  regard  to 
Hospital  Stewards  Reamur  A.  Saunders  and  Benjamin 
Gates,  who  were  with  the  regiment  in  its  early  service. 
Everyone  who  had  an  ache  or  an  illness  will  remember 
stanch  and  kind  hearted  Brice  Suffield,  who  was  the 
last  of  our  Hospital  Stewards. 

I  remember  Drum  Major  Wm.  C.  Rolls  with  some 
thing  of  amusement.  He  was  short,  slim  and  dark, 
and  had  wonderfully  large  eyes.  I  recall  "him  best,  as 
all  of  you  will,  with  a  pet  alligator  in  his  arms.  I 
need  not  say  that  the  saurian  was  not  full  grown. 

I  was  particularly  fond  of  our  Drum  Corps.  I  think 
of  Wakeman,  Kitchen,  Dickinson  and  Robinson  with 
great  pleasure.  Since  our  army  days  I  never  hear  mar 
tial  music  without  recalling  the  drummer  boys  who 
trudged  gaily  and  saucily  along  at  the  head  of  the 
Thirty-Third,  and  I  remember  none  better  than  Jimmy 
Bateman,  drummer  boy  of  Company  D.  "Jimmy" 
had  an  experience  in  trying  to  become  a  soldier  which 
I  think  worth  telling. 

When  the  troops  began  to  assemble  in  Springfield 
early  in  1861,  Jimmy  tried  to  enlist  in  a  cavalry  regi 
ment.  He  was  then  but  14  years  old,  and  small  for 
that  age.  It  was  thought  he  was  rather  light  for  a 
cavalry  charge  and  was  refused.  He  applied  in  suc 
cession  to  every  regiment  that  came  into  camp,  with 
out  success.  Finally  he  begged  a  Colonel  to  take  him 
as  his  servant.  The  Colonel  consented  on  condition 
that  he  should  obtain  the  consent  of  his  parents,  and 
told  him  to  hurry,  as  his  command  was  about  to  move. 
When  Jimmy  returned  an  hour  later,  the  Colonel  with 
his  regiment  had  gone.  That  Colonel  was  U.  S.  Grant 
of  the  21st  Illinois. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


15 


CHAPTER  IV. 
THE  LINE  OFFICERS. 


The  Company  officers,  who  contributed  so  much  to 
the  honor  and  good  reputation  of  the  33rd,  deserve  ex 
tended  mention,  but  I  trust  that  it  will  be  understood 
that  owing  to  their  number,  and  the  space  this  narra 
tive  is  expected  to  occupy,  but  brief,  much  too  brief, 
notice  can  be  given  to  each.  They  will  be  mentioned 
in  order  of  companies. 

First  Lieut.  John  Howard  Buruham  succeeded  Potter 
as  Captain  of  Company  A  in  September,  1802.  Burn- 
ham  was  a  young  man  of  high  character  and  attain 
ments.  Graduated  at  Normal  in  18(51,  he  had  been 
principal  of  its  "Model  School,"  and  was  identified 
with  the  "Normal  Rifles"  from  the  beginning.  He 
had  a  difficult  task,  as  any  man  would  have  had,  in 
rilling  the  place  at  the  head  of  that  splendid  company. 
Yet  his  success  was  such  that  when  he  was  compelled 
to  resign  on  account  of  long  continued  ill  health,  he 
took  with  him  the  expressed  regrets  of  his  company, 
and  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  the  men  and  officers 
of  the  regiment.  He  showed  great  courage  at  Freder- 
icktown  and  the  battle  of  Cache  River.  It  is  due  to 
him  to  say  that  during  and  since  the  war  no  member 
of  the  33rd  has  been  more  alive  to  its  every  interest 
than  he.  He  resigned  in  March,  18<>3,  and  became  su 
perintendent  of  the  city  schools  of  Bloomington,  and 
later  was  editor  of  the  Bloomington  "Pantagraph"  for 
three  years.  Captain  Burnham  has  achieved  a  tine  rep 
utation  as  a  writer,  journalist  and  business  man.  He 
still  resides  in  Bloomington. 

First  Lieut.  Gould  H.  Norton,  who  followed  Burn- 
ham  as  Captain  of  Company  A,  was  quite  worthy  to 
take  the  place  of  his  predecessors.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  senior  class  of  1861  in  Normal  University  and  was 
the  selection  of  his  Company  as  2nd  Lieutenant  on  or- 
gani/ation.  For  many  months  he  was  acting  Quarter- 
n  aster  of  the  regiment  and  proved  himself  a  valuable 
officer  in  that  important  position.  On  May  20th  at 
Vicksburg  he  was  struck  in  the  breast  by  a  bullet 
which  disabled  him  for  further  service.  In  18(54  Nor 
ton  entered  the  government  service  as  Captain  cf  a 
Mississippi  River  steamboat.  In  1870  he  moved  to 
Southern  Kansas  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Ar 
kansas  City.  In  the  1874  Indian  outbreak  he  raised  a 
company  of  cavalry  for  frontier  service  and  was  com 
missioned  Colonel  of  the  1st  Kansas  Cavalry  by  Govern 
or  Osborne.  In  1875  Norton  moved  to  Florida  and  en 
gaged  in  the  business  of  nurseryman.  Col.  Norton  is 
Past  Dept.  Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Department  of 
Florida.  His  post  office  address  is  Kustice,  Lake  coun 
ty,  Fla. 


Harvey  J.  Button  was  another  excellent  product  of 
the  "Normal  Rifles."  He  was  of  the  graduating  class 
at  Normal  in  1801,  carried  a  musket  for  a  year ;  then 
for  his  manly  qualities  and  soldierly  bearing  was  select- 
ted  by  vote  of  his  company  for  2nd  Lieutenant.  He 
was  regularly  promoted,  and  was  Captain  of  his  com 
pany  at  muster  out.  Button  was  unassuming  and 
courageous  and  showed  himself,  on  critical  occasions, 
to  be  a  cool  and  intrepid  commander.  His  gallantry  at 
Cache  River  and  Vicksburg  will  be  noted  farther  on. 
For  nineteen  years  after  the  war  Captain  Button  was  a 
farmer  in  Cedar  county,  Mo.,  and  is  now  a  successful 
merchant  in  Springfield,  Mo. 

Lieutenant  James  R.  Fyffe  was  frequently  detailed  to 
act  as  Adjutant,  and  my  relations  \\ith  him  were  of 
the  most  cordial  and  intimate  character.  The  liking,  I 
may  say  the  love,  I  had  for  him  has  lasted  to  this  day. 
He  was  so  light  hearted  and  cheery  that  he  made  even 
rainy  days  sunshiny.  Modest,  sincere  and  full  to  the 
eyes  of  the  highest  courage,  he  was  the  noblest  type  of 
the  American  soldier.  If  I  could  call  any  of  the  lost 
ones  back,  it  would  be  "Jim"  Fyffe.  He  married  Miss 
Clara  Fell,  daughter  of  Hon.  Jesse  W.  Fell,  who  was 
the  most  valued  friend  that  Abraham  Lincoln  had  in 
Illinois.  After  he  left  the  army  Lieut.  Fyffe  studied 
medicine  in  the  University  of  Michigan  and  became  a 
most  successful  physician.  He  died  of  consumption  at 
Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  in  March,  1872. 

Charles  Toby  carried  a  musket  for  four  years,  and 
was  made  2nd  Lieutenant  of  Company  A  in  August, 
1805.  His  promotion  came  late,  but  it  was  worthily 
bestowed.  He  was  a  great  favorite  in  his  company 
and  the  regiment.  His  death  occurred  at  Round 
Grove,  111.,  in  1900. 

Moses  I.  Morgan,  the  first  Captain  of  Company  B, 
bore  a  high  character  as  a  man  and  officer.  Six  months 
of  ill  health  compelled  his  resignation  in  January, 
1803.  The  journal  of  one  of  the  members  of  the  com 
pany  says  this  about  him,  which  all  will  endorse  :  "He 
has  been  respected  and  well  liked  by  the  company,  and 
with  the  officers  of  the  regiment  be  stood  high."  After 
his  resignation  he  served  for  a  time  as  clerk  in  the 
Commissary  Department  at  San  Francisco.  He  was  a 
farmer  near  Brecksville,  Ohio,  and  died  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  in  1895. 

Morgan  was  succeeded  by  Lieut.  C.  J.  (Sill,  and  he 
by  his  brother,  Nelson  G.  (Jill.  They  were  grim  and 
stalwart  men,  something  like  Cromwell's  "Ironsides"; 
both  good  officers  and  devoted  to  each  other  and  their 
company,  which  was  always  under  good  discipline  and 


16 


GENERAL  IIIHTOR  Y. 


effective.  If  there  was  a  dangerous  scout,  or  difficult 
work  to  be  undertaken,  it  was  quite  safe  to  send  one 
of  the  Gills.  Capt.  C.  J.  Gill  is  a  physician  at  River 
side,  California;  Capt.  N.  G.  Gill  is  Ass't  Postmaster 
at  San  Bernadino,  Cal. 

Lieut.  Edward  T.  Durant  was  promoted  from  the 
ranks,  and  was  noted  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
every  duty.  It  is  with  great  regret  that  I  have  to 
state  that  Lieut.  Durant  is  blind.  He  will  have  the 
deepest  sympathy  of  his  old  comrades.  He  lives  in 
Waterville,  Kansas. 

Newton  G.  B.  Brown  was  selected  for  the  last  honor 
Company  B  had  to  bestow,  and  was  made  2nd  Lieut., 
August  '2,  18(55.  He  well  deserved  his  promotion. 

Edward  It.  Hoe  was  really  the  first  Captain  of  Com 
pany  C,  but  on  the  organization  of  the  regiment  was 
made  Major.  He  was  succeeded  by  Daniel  B.  Robinson, 
a  merchant  of  Bloomington,  who  resigned  Jan.  24th, 
1802.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  McLean  county,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death  at  Towanda,  111.,  in  18(55. 

First  Lieut.  Henry  M.  Kellogg  was  unanimously 
selected  by  the  company  to  take  the  place  of  Capt.  Rob 
inson.  Capt.  Kellogg  was  a  man  of  fine  appearance, 
high  character,  and  a  trusted  officer.  He  was  instantly 
killed  in  the  advance  on  the  works  of  Vicksburg,  May 
20th,  18(58.  His  body  was  taken  to  the  Milliken's 
Bend  and  there  buried,  but  the  grave  could  never  af 
terward  be  located.  On  the  morning  before  the  death 
of  Capt.  Kellogg,  he  stated  to  members  of  his  com 
pany  that  he  would  be  killed  next  day.  He  made  ar 
rangements  for  the  disposal  of  his  effects,  and  wrote  a 
farewell  letter  to  his  wife.  Strange  enough  a  rifle  ball 
through  the  head  took  his  life  at  the  time  he  men 
tioned,  and  as  I  remember  no  one  else  in  the  regiment 
received  even  a  scratch  that  day. 

Capt.  Kellogg  was  succeeded,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
by  first  Lieut.  Edward  J.  Lewis.  There  was  no  offi 
cer  in  it  that  had  the  respect  of  the  entire  regiment  to 
a  greater  degree  than  Capt.  Lewis.  He  was  a  man  of 
ability,  education,  and  refinement,  modest  to  an  extent 
that  concealed  many  of  his  merits;  a  good  officer, 
prompt  and  exact  in  the  performance  of  every  duty. 
That  he  was  methodical  and  painstaking,  the  five  little 
volumes  of  his  ''diary"  which  lie  before  me,  and 
which  chronicle  nearly  every  hour  of  the  service  of  the 
88 rd,  are  sufficient  evidence.  He  was  always  cool  and 
brave  in  battle,  and  was  slightly  wounded  by  a  grape 
shot  or  bullet  on  May  22nd,  at  Vicksburg.  Captain 
Lewis  was  the  able  editor  of  the  Bloomington  "Pan- 
tagraph"  from  1856  to  18(iO,  the  stirring  times  of  the 
Fremont  campaign  and  the  Lincoln  and  Douglas  de 
bates  of  1858.  He  again  edited  the  "Pantagraph"  from 
1871  to  18~!>.  Captain  Lewis  lives  at  Bloomington, 
still  young  at  seventy-four.  The  good  wishes  of  all 
the  surviving  comrades  of  the  83rd  are  his. 

Lieut.  George  H.  Fifer  was  another  officer  of  Com 
pany  C  who  conferred  honor  upon  the  regiment.  His 
efficiency  was  shown  by  the  constant  demand  for  his 
services  on  staff  duty ;  he  was  on  the  brigade  staff. 


While  gallantly  going  against  Fort  Esperna/a,  he  re 
ceived  his  death  wound,  November  27,  18(58.  All  the 
fruits  of  that  campaign  were  not  worth  the  life  of 
George  Fifer.  He  died  on  bleak  Matagorda  Island, 
Texas,  December  2(i,  18(58. 

First  Lieut.  Amandus  L.  Bush  was  an  officer  full  of 
good  nature  and  enterprise.  He  was  inclined  to  take 
things  as  they  came  without  complaining,  which  is  an 
excellent  characteristic  of  a  soldier.  Bush  was  always 
ready  to  share  his  last  dollar  and  only  cracker  with  any 
soldier,  and  if  the  good  wishes  of  his  comrades  are 
worth  anything,  his  chickens  will  all  lay  golden  eggs. 
He  is  in  the  poultry  business  in  Escondido,  California. 

First  Sergeant  George  W.  Jones  was  advanced  to  2nd 
Lieut,  in  August,  18(55.  His  long  service  and  splendid 
record  as  a  soldier  entitled  him  to  the  promotion.  He 
is  a  successful  man  of  business  at  McLean,  111. 

Company  D  had  but  two  captains.  Sergeant  Hiram 
H.  Rosengrant  was  advanced  over  the  lieutenants  on 
account  of  his  popularity  in  the  company.  Favoritism 
of  soldiers  in  a  company,  or  regiment,  is  by  no  means 
a  safe  measure  of  tht  excellence  of  an  officer,  but  in 
this  case  the  selection  seemed  to  be  a  wise  one.  Rosen- 
grant  had  been  a  good  soldier,  and  he  made  a  good 
Captain.  After  the  war  he  was  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  by  the  people  among  whom  he  lived.  He  con 
ducted  a  farm  in  Macon  county,  111.,  for  twenty  years 
and  then  moved  to  Grant,  Nebraska,  where  he  died  in 
1892. 

First  Lieut.  Win.  W.  Mason  served  in  that  rank  from 
the  beginning  until  August  28,  18(54,  when  he  resigned 
and  went  out  with  the  Non-Veteians.  His  resignation 
took  place  before  the  promotion  of  Rosengrant.  Had 
he  remained  in  the  regiment  he  would  very  properly 
have  been  made  Captain  of  the  company,  a  position  to 
which  he  had  a  right  from  his  long  service  and  excel 
lence  as  an  officer.  Lieut.  Mason  was  detailed  for  many 
months  to  act  as  Quartermaster,  and  managed  the 
somewhat  lawless  "train  brigade"  with  great  success. 
For  many  years  he  was  City  Marshal  of  Decatur,  111., 
and  is  now  in  business  in  that  place. 

Wm.  H.  Moore  was  made  First  Lieut,  irr  December, 
1804,  and  resigned  Aug.  28,  18(55.  I  have  been  unable 
to  obtain  any  trace  of  him. 

I  remember  John  W.  Pepper  as  a  good  soldier  and 
good  officer.  He  was  made  Lieutenant  in  October, 
18(55.  Since  our  rrruster  out  I  have  heard  nothing  in 
regard  to  him. 

Franklin  J.  Duncklee  was  2nd  Lieut,  of  Company 
I)  at  the  beginning,  and  resigned  in  February,  18(52.  I 
know  nothing  in  reference  to  him. 

Second  Lieut.  Hiram  V.  Algar  resigned  Sept.  21, 
18(54.  Nothing  is  known  of  him. 

Wm.  George  was  promoted  2nd  Lieut.,  Sept.  20,  '(55. 
The  wife  of  Surgeon  Rex  sent  him  a  beautiful  present 
to  be  given  to  that  soldier  of  the  83rd  who  had  never 
been  sick,  never  shirked  a  duty,  did  not  use  intoxicat 
ing  drinks,  tobacco  or  profane  language.  Wm.  George 
received  that  present,  I  doubt  if  another  present  could 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


17 


have  been  placed  on  the  same  terms  in  the  33rd.  Lieut. 
George  was  accidentally  killed  near  Taylorville,  111., 
in  August,  1887,  by  a  runaway  horse. 

Capt.  Lyman  M.  Pratt,  of  Company  E,  was  an  offi 
cer  of  fine  appearance,  ready  at  any  time  to  charge  a 
fort  or  battery.  Pratt  was  the  only  man  who  was  un 
hurt  in  his  company  on  the  22nd  of  May.  He  re 
signed  on  account  of  ill  health  in  July,  1805.  He  is 
now  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in  Osceohi,  Nebraska. 

First  Lieut.  Win.  H.  By  ram  was  his  successor. 
Modest  even  to  bashtulness,  hence  his  merits  were  not 
so  well  known  as  they  otherwise  would  have  been.  He 
was  a  faithful  officer,  and  greatly  liked  by  the  com 
pany.  By  ram  has  been  a  builder  and  contractor  for 
many  years  at  Galesburg,  111.,  and  now  lives  in  that 
city. 

Lieut.  Clarendon  A.  Stone  was  taken  prisoner  with 
the  company  at  Big  River  Bridge,  October  15,  18(il, 
and  left  the  service  at  that  time.  I  have  known 
nothing  of  him  since  that  time. 

Edward  Marsh  was  made  First  Lieutenant,  June  22, 
1863.  Courageous,  faithful,  and  efficient,  he  ranked 
among  the  best  officers  in  the  33rd.  Lieut.  Marsh  was 
severely  wounded  in  battle  and  resigned  June  6,  1864. 
He  was  for  twenty-eight  years  a  successful  hardware 
merchant  in  Oneida,  111.,  and  is  now  seeking  health  on 
the  Pacific  coast.  His  address  is  Marsh  field,  Oregon. 

Harrison  Dwire  succeeded  Marsh.  No  better  soldier 
than  Dwire  carried  a  sword  or  musket  in  the  33rd.  I 
admired  him  as  a  soldier  and  valued  him  as  a  friend. 
He  is  now  a  successful  fruit  grower  near  Los  Angeles, 
California ;  address,  Prospect  Park,  Cal. 

Albert  Caufr'man  was  among  the  fine  young  soldiers 
who  were  made  Second  Lieutenant  when  the  regiment 
was  again  filled  to  the  maximum  in  September,  18(55. 
He  was  always  the  life  of  his  company,  and  his  hearty 
laugh  will  be  remembered  by  his  comrades.  Cauffman 
probably  took  more  rebel  lead  home  with  him  in  his 
body  than  any  other  member  of  the  regiment.  He  is 
now  a  retired  farmer  at  Kenesaw,  Nebraska. 

Julian  E.  Bryant  was  made  Second  Lieutenant  upon 
the  organization  of  the  company.  If  the  fitness  of 
things  had  been  observed,  he  would  have  been  Captain 
and  I  his  subordinate.  He  was  a  nephew  of  William 
Cullen  Bryant.  Lieut.  Bryant  was  a  scholarly  and 
most  promising  young  man.  No  more  kindly  heart 
ever  beat  in  any  man's  breast  than  his.  For  his  con 
spicuous  ability  and  high  soldierly  qualities  he  was 
made  Colonel  of  the  96th  U.  S.  C.  I.  in  June,  1863, 
which  he  commanded  with  great  success.  He  was 
drowned  in  1804  while  bathing  in  the  gulf  off  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande.  His  body  was  never  re 
covered.  A  simple  monument  in  the  cemetery  at 
Princeton,  111.,  and  his  many  virtues  perpetuate  his 
memory. 

Capt.  Dermont  C.  Roberts  of  Company  F  showed 
himself  to  be  a  brave  and  capable  officer  on  all  occa 
sions.  He  resigned  in  January,  1863.  His  residence  is 
at  Los  Angeles,  California. 


John  W.  Still  well  became  Captain  of  Co.  F  in  Octo 
ber,  1865.  He  was  a  most  earnest  officer  and  was  highly 
regarded  by  all.  Capt.  Still  well  has  been  a  prosperous 
farmer,  and  lives  at  Lewiston,  Pawnee  county,  Ne 
braska. 

First  Lieutenant  Henry  P.  Winship  was  a  bright 
and  capable  man  and  did  good  service  until  poor  health 
compelled  his  resignation  in  1863.  He  re-entered  the 
army  as  First  Lieutenant  and  was  assigned  to  staff  duty 
with  General  Burbridge.  On  the  Morgan  raid  for  mer 
itorious  service  he  was  promoted  to  Captain,  and  later 
assigned  to  the  "Army  of  the  James"  as  A.  A.  I.  G. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  appointed  as  1st  Lieu 
tenant  in  the  regular  army,  but  failed  to  qualify.  In 
later  life  he  has  been  engaged  in  mechanical  engineer 
ing,  fruit  raising  in  Florida,  stock  raising  in  Nebraska, 
and  is  now  prospecting  in  Idaho.  Winship  is  a  born 
nomad,  and  J  am  surprised  at  not  hearing  from  him 
at  Manila  or  Pekin.  He  was  Chief  of  Police  at  Chad- 
ton,  Neb.,  for  several  years.  It  is  now  his  post  office 
address. 

George  W.  McKee  succeeded  Winship  as  First  Lieu 
tenant.  The  only  information  I  have  of  him  is  that 
he  died  in  Chicago,  May  6,  18(53. 

John  X.  Wilson  was  promoted  from  Sergeant  Major 
to  be  Lieutenant  in  Company  F.  He  was  then  trans 
ferred  to  be  Captain  in  a  regiment  of  colored  troops. 
Wilson  was  a  Sergeant  in  Company  A  when  it  was  or 
ganized.  He  was  a  man  of  education  and  refinement. 
His  death  occurred  in  1897. 

I  have  been  able  to  obtain  but  little  information 
in  regard  to  Lieut.  Churnley  and  Lieut.  Claywell.  I 
learn  that  Chumley  died  at  Winchester,  111.,  March  20, 
1902,  and  I  heard  many  years  ago  that  Claywell  had 
been  killed  at  that  place. 

Captain  Ira  Moore  deserves  a  much  lengthier  notice 
than  can  be  given  here.  I  always  ranked  him  in 
worth  and  ability  with  Col.  Potter.  Like  him  he  was  a 
graduate  of  Vale,  and  had  been  a  teacher  in  Normal, 
and  after  their  military  service  their  lives  were  singu- 
lary  alike.  He  resigned  in  May,  186-1,  on  account  of 
malaria  contracted  in  the  Louisiana  swamps.  After  a 
year's  rest  he  became  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the 
University  of  Minnesota,  which  position  he  held  for 
two  years,  and  then  was  Principal  of  the  State  Normal 
School  for  six  years.  Desiring  a  wanner  climate  he 
went  to  California  in  1875,  and  taught  in  the  State 
Normal  School  at  Los  Angeles.  He  resigned  that  posi 
tion  in  1893  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  went  to  live 
on  his  ranch  in  the  foot  hills,  where  he  died  in 
1897.  He  is  buried  at  San  Jose,  Cal.,  where  a  daughter 
is  also  buried.  His  wife  lives  at  Cucamonga,  California. 

First  Lieut.  John  T.  Russell  was  advanced  to  Cap 
tain,  and  a  right  good  Captain  he  proved  to  be.  It  was 
he  who  with  ten  men  first  entered  Fort  Esperan/a  and 
planted  the  colors  of  the  33rd  on  its  walls.  Everyone  in 
the  regiment  liked  Capt.  Russell.  He  is  a  retired  farm 
er  at  Cooksville,  111. 

Lucius  Rew  was   promoted  from  private  in  Company 


3 


18 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


B  to  be  First  Lieut,  in  Co.  G,  in  December,  1864. 
Why  this  was  done  I  do  not  now  remember.  There  were 
men  in  that  company  capable  of  filling  the  position. 
Rew  was  a  fine  young  officer  and  served  with  credit. 
Since  the  war  be  has  been  farmer  and  teacher  in  Penn 
sylvania.  He  was  on  Lawler's  staff  during  his  term 
of  National  Commander,  G.  A.  R.  He  lives  in  Frank 
lin,  Pa. 

George  P.  Ela  resigned  as  First  Lieut,  in  Sept.,  '62. 
He  was  well  and  favorably  known  in  the  regiment. 
His  death  occurred  in  Bloomington  in  1897. 

William  Elbert  was  made  2nd  Lieut,  on  organization 
of  the  company,  and  was  a  faithful  soldier  until  his 
resignation  in  March,  1868. 

Lysander  C.  Howard  was  promoted  from  Sergeant  to 
Second  Lieutenant,  served  two  months  and  resigned. 
He  died  some  years  ago  at  La  Bette,  Kansas. 

Russell  Puntenney  was  made  Second  Lieutenant 
three  months  before  the  muster  out  of  the  regiment. 
He  was  a  most  reliable  and  deserving  soldier.  He  lives 
on  a  farm  near  Gibson  City,  111. 

Were  I  to  designate  the  most  talented  man  who 
served  in  the  88rd,  I  should  without  hesitation  write  the 
name  of  James  A.  McKenzie,  Captain  of  Company  H. 
He  was  as  erratic  as  a  comet,  but  with  a  better  mental 
balance  there  would  have  been  few  honors  beyond  his 
reach.  He  was  a  dead  shot  with  rifle  and  pistol,  and 
could  throw  a  tomahawk  with  the  skill  of  an  Indian. 
At  Reeves  Station  I  was  unwise  enough  to  offer  him 
my  new  and  expensive  uniform  cap  as  a  target,  and  he 
cut  it  in  two  pieces  by  a  single  cast  of  the  hatchet  at  a 
distance  of  ten  paces.  When  he  entered  the  army  his 
ability  as  a  lawyer  at  once  made  him  valuable  as  Judge 
Advocate  of  Courts  Martial.  He  was  Judge  Advocate 
General  of  the  Army  of  the  Southwest  under  Gen. 
Curtis,  and  Provost  Marshal  under  Gen.  Steele.  He 
knew  tactics  and  the  army  regulations  from  cover  to 
cover,  and  was  an  authority  in  military  law.  While 
with  the  regiment,  McKenzie  was  a  terror  to  the  com 
manding  officers,  free  with  his  criticisms,  and  refusing 
to  obey  any  order  he  could  pick  a  flaw  in,  and  he  gen 
erally  found  a  flaw. 

It  is  quite  a  curious  circumstance  that  when  I  had 
reached  this  point  in  this  sketch,  a  Chicago  "Tribune" 
was  handed  me  which  contained  the  announcement  of 
Capt  McKenzie's  death.  It  was  a  shock  to  me,  as  I 
liked  him  greatly.  He  resigned  March  10,  1868,  and 
died  at  his  home  in  Galesburg  on  December  17,  1901. 

First  Lieut.  George  E.  Smith  was  the  natural  and 
worthy  successor  to  the  Captaincy.  He  was  a  young 
man  of  refined  tastes  and  pronounced  ability.  His  reti 
cence  and  dignified  demeanor  was  sometimes  mistaken 
for  haughtiness,  but  there  was  no  more  genial  comrade 
on  the  march  and  around  the  camp  fire.  Capt.  Smith 
was  also  a  graduate  of  Knox  College,  and  was  among 
the  best  of  the  output  of  that  institution.  With  McKen 
zie  he  had  mastered  tactics  and  army  regulations,  and 
was  unusually  well  informed  about  military  affairs 
generally,  which  led  to  his  being  sought  for  outside 


service,  and  for  a  year  he  was  Provost  Marshal  at  Baton 
Rouge,  La.  Vfe  had  few  officers,  if  any,  that  were  su 
perior  to  ('apt.  Geo.  E.  Smith.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1867,  settled  in  St.  Louis,  and  is  now  a 
prominent  attorney  in  that  city,  715  Locust  street. 

Lieut.  Robert  P.  Williams  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  head  by  a  fragment  of  shell  at  the  battle  of  Black 
River  Bridge,  May  16,  1863.  He  stated  that  he  would 
not  have  any  more  shells  "busted  on  his  head  to  save 
the  best  government  on  earth,"  and  promptly  resigned. 
In  a  recent  letter  he  says  that  his  head  has  been  of  no 
use  to  him  since,  but  his  comrades  will  have  other 
views  about  it.  The  feet  of  the  Captain  of  Company 
H  were  planned  upon  a  large  scale,  and  at  the  begin 
ning  of  the  battle  above  mentioned,  Williams  ap 
proached  him  and  said,  "Captain,  if  you  will  give  me 
a  signal  when  you  are  shot,  I  will  come  and  push  .you 
over."  Lieut.  Williams  is  in  the  hotel  business  in 
Chicago.  His  address  is  24  East  16th  Street. 

Emmett  B.  Chambers  became  First  Lieutenant  after 
Williams.  He  had  a  prompt  and  thoroughbred  way  as 
an  officer  that  was  attractive,  and  was  a  soldier  of  gal 
lant  bearing,  in  or  out  of  a  scrimmage.  Lieut.  Cham 
bers  was  a  newspaper  man  at  the  time  of  his  enlist 
ment,  and  in  1871  became  proprietor  and  editor  of  the 
"Red  River  Gazette"  at  Glyndon,  Minnesota,  and  later 
of  the  Fargo  "Times,"  N^rth  Dakota.  In  1887  he  be 
came  proof  reader  in  the  Government  Printing  Office  at 
Washington,  D.  C. ,  a  position  he  now  holds.  He  lives 
in  a  beautiful  home  at  Kensington,  ten  miles  out  of 
the  city. 

John  M.  Ryland  was  promoted  from  First  Sergeant 
to  2nd  Lieutenant,  but  was  not  mustered  as  an  officer. 
He  was  one  of  the  tallest  soldiers  that  stood  in  the 
ranks. 

John  M.  Follett  laid  down  his  musket  September  21, 
1865,  to  take  rank  as  Second  Lieutenant.  If  there  was 
a  more  stanch,  reliable,  "Rock  of  Chickarnauga, "  kind 
of  soldier  in  the  regiment  than  John  M  Follett,  I  did 
not  have  the  honor  of  his  acquaintance.  He  is  a  suc 
cessful  farmer  near  Atkinson,  Henry  county,  111. 

Capt.  W.  H.  Lawton  of  Company  I  was  a  genial  gen 
tleman,  a  bit  excitable  perhaps,  but  a  good  officer,  al 
ways  having  a  cordial  greeting  for  everybody,  officer  or 
not.  He  resigned  June  8,  1868,  on  account  of  disabil- 
ty,  and  for  the  rest  of  his  life  went  on  crutches.  He 
was  appointed  "Custodian  of  Surveys"  at  Springfield, 
which  position  he  held  until  his  death  at  Griggsville, 
111.,  in  1882. 

From  First  Lieutenant,  Nathaniel  T.  Lyon  was  ad 
vanced  to  Captain  of  the  company.  He  was  a  brave 
and  capable  officer;  was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  Fort 
Esperanza,  and  was  among  the  first  always  whenever 
duty  summoned  him.  He  takes  a  great  interest  in  re 
ligious  and  political  affairs.  His  home  is  in  Sunnier, 
Iowa. 

Lieutenant  Charles  T.  Kenney  was  a  great  favorite 
in  his  company  and  in  the  regiment,  and  is  yet,  as  he 
well  deserves  to  be.  He  was  desperately  wounded  in 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


19 


the  thigh  at  Vicksburg  on  May  22,  18(58.  After  nearly 
forty  years,  Kenney  is  still  on  crutches,  and  his  wound 
necessitates  daily  attention.  His  endurance  has  been 
wonderful.  Notwithstanding  his  great  affliction  he 
has  conducted  a  successful  business.  His  home  is  in 
Qriggsville,  111. 

Nathaniel  W.  Reynolds  followed  Kenney.  His 
earnestness  and  capability  as  an  officer  brought  him  the 
esteem  of  his  company  and  regiment.  His  profession 
is  a  builder,  and  his  home  is  in  Bloomington,  111. 

David  F.  Jenkins  was  made  2nd  Lieutenant  in 
August,  1805.  He  lives  in  Troy,  Idaho. 

Company  K  from  first  to  last  had  five  captains. 
First,  Lieutenant  Wm.  A.  Nixon  succeeded  Lippin- 
cott,  March  1,  1862,  and  resigned  four  months  later. 
Nixon  was  captured  in  the  Big  River  Bridge  affair 
October  15,  1801,  and  released  on  parole.  He  behaved 
gallantly  in  that  lively  action.  His  address  is  527  West 
8th  street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Edward  H.  Twining  was  promoted  from  private  to 
Captain  of  Company  K  in  September,  1802,  and  served 
until  October,  1804,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  commis 
sion  as  Captain  A.  D.  C.  on  the  Staff  of  Major  Gen 
eral  J.  J.  Reynolds.  While  in  the  ranks,  Twining  was 
noted  for  his  soldierly  bearing  and  strict  observance  of 
all  duties  and  formalities  required  of  a  soldier.  He 
was  a  man  of  superior  education,  having  graduated  at 
Wabash  College  in  1852,  and  was  afterward  a  professor 
in  the  Sheffield  Scientific  School  at  Yale. 

In  18(50  he  was  appointed  to  a  professorship  in  Wash 
ington  and  Jefferson  College,  Pa.,  and  later  was  con 
nected  with  the  Universities  of  Minnesota  and  Mis 
souri.  In  1882  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Govern 
ment  as  Engineer  under  the  Mississippi  River  Com 
mission,  which  position  he  still  holds.  It  goes  with 
out  saying  that  Capt.  Twining  reflected  great  honor  on 
our  regiment,  both  during  and  since  the  war.  His  ad 
dress  is  2739  Locust  street,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Among  the  officers  of  the  Thirty-Third  conspicuous 
for  ability  and  courage,  Capt.  Frank  Adams  ranked 
very  high.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Illinois  College,  and 
an  only  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  Adams,  a  distinguished  pro 
fessor  in  that  institution.  Capt.  Adams  was  a  young 
man  of  splendid  appearance,  rare  culture  and  the  very 
ideal  of  a  soldier.  He  distinguished  himself  at  Vicksburg 
and  on  all  other  occasions  where  danger  gave  him  op 
portunity.  He  was  promoted  specially  by  President 
Lincoln  to  service  in  the  Signal  Corps  in  November, 
1804.  After  the  war  he  was  engaged  as  civil  engineer 
on  the  Union  Pacific  railroad,  and  assisted  in  pushing 
that  great  undertaking  across  the  plains  and  moun 
tains.  His  exertions  in  that  arduous  enterprise 
brought  on  an  illness  which  early  ended  his  brilliant 
and  useful  career.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Jackson 
ville,  111.,  Nov.  24,  1808,  deeply  mourned  by  his  family, 
his  comrades,  and  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 

First  Lieut.  Edwin  L.  Higgins  was  advanced  to 
Captain  in  November,  1804.  He  was  a  most  capable 
and  intrepid  officer,  liked  by  his  company  and  all  the 


regiment.  While  in  the  rifle  pits  at  Vicksburg,  June 
18,  1808,  a  musket  ball  entered  just  under  one  of  bis 
eyes  and  passed  transversely  through  his  head,  coming 
out  behind  the  ear.  It  was  thought  the  wound  was 
necessarily  fatal,  but  the  pluck  of  the  man  pulled  him 
through.  Capt.  Higgins  was  Adjutant  General  of  Illi 
nois  from  1809  to  1878,  and  Adjutant  of  the  Illinois  Sol 
diers'  and  Sailors'  Home  from  1897  to  1901.  Present 
address,  884  Oak  Street,  Quincy,  111. 

Sergeant  Joseph  H.  Sheeler  was  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant  in  January,  1805,  and  served  with  credit  to 
the  end.  Lieutenant  Sheeler  was  a  molder  by  trade, 
and  resumed  his  occupation  after  the  war.  He  has 
held  the  position  as  foreman  of  foundries  for  many 
years.  He  lives  at  50  F]rnniett  Street,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Second  Lieutenant  Wm.  H.  Weaver  only  remained 
with  the  regiment  until  March,  1802.  He  became  cele 
brated  by  being  chosen  to  the  legislature  at  what  was 
called  the  "snap  election"  of  1884,  and  cast  the  vote 
which  made  John  A.  Logan  United  States  Senator. 
His  home  is  at  Petersburg,  111.  At  the  battle  of  Black 
River,  May  10,  1803,  when  the  line  of  skirmishers  was 
close  to  the  enemy's  works,  I  remember  seeing  Frank 
Ford  standing  up  when  everybody  else  was  lying 
down.  I  wonder  to  this  day  that  he  was  not  in  the  list 
of  killed  in  that  battle.  He  was  an  admirable  soldier 
and  on  that  account  was  made  Second  Lieutenant  of 
K  Company  in  January,  1805.  I  have  no  information 
in  regard  to  Lieutenant  Ford  since  the  war. 

When  the  colored  troops  were  called  into  the  service 
it  was  the  purpose  of  the  government  to  officer  them 
with  the  very  best  material  that  could  be  drawn  from 
the  veteran  white  regiments,  and  the  standing  and 
character  of  the  33rd  Illinois  was  well  illustrated  by  the 
large  contingent  drawn  from  its  ranks.  Bryant,  Cran- 
dall,  Morey  and  Morgan  became  the  most  conspicuous, 
but  all  of  them  served  with  credit,  and  some  with 
distinction,  in  their  new  commands.  A  list  is  append 
ed  of  those  who  were  promoted  from  the  38rd  : 

Julian  E.  Bryant,  Lieutenant  E  Co.,  to  be  Colonel 
of  the  90th  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Frederick  M.  Crandall,  Adjutant,  to  be  Colonel  of 
48th  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Frank  Morey,  Sergeant  B  Co.,  to  be  Captain  in  the 
92nd  U.  S.  C.  I.  Promoted  to  be  A.  Adj.  General. 

Sid.  O.  Morgan,  Sergeant  B  Co.,  to  be  Captain  in 
the  48th  U.  S.  C.  I. 

John  X.  Wilson,  Lieutenant  of  F  Co.,  to  be  Captain 
in  the  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Chas.  E.  Wilcox,  Sergeant  Major,  to  be  Captain  in 
the  92nd  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Cornelius  DuBois,  Sergeant  C  (Jo.,  to  be  Captain  in 
the  53rd  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Elisha  Burrows,  Sergeant  A  Co.,  to  be  Captain  in  the 
53rd  U.  S.  C.  I. 

James  N.  Butler,  K  Co.,  to  be  Captain  in  the  3rd 
Miss.  Col.  Infty. 

Francis  D.  Atkins,  C  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
U.  S.  C.  I. 


PICTURES  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF. 


LIEUT.  COL.  WILLIAM  R.  LOCKWOOD. 


LIEUT.  COL.   LEAMDER  H.  POTTER. 


LIEUT.  COL.  EDWARD  R.  ROE. 


LIEUT.  COL.  EDWARD  R.  ROE. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


Samuel  M.  Shaw,  C  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the  o3rd 
U.  S.  C.  I. 

Edward  Wiswall,  E  Co.,  to  be  a  lieutenant  in  the 
U.  S.  C.  I. 

Fred  H.  Ferris,  H  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
74th  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Edward  P.  Hatch,  B  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
48th  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Graf  ton  S.  Nutten,  I  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
82nd  U.  S.  C.  I. 

In  connection  with  these  promotions,  I  wish  to  men 
tion  those  of  the  regiment  that  were  promoted  from  it 
to  be  officers  in  other  volunteer  regiments,  and  served 
with  credit : 

Ira  J.  Bloomfield,  Sergeant  of  C  Co.,  to  be  Captain 
in  the  20th  Illinois;  later  promoted  to  Colonel  and 
Brig.  General  by  brevet. 

S.  G.  Parker,  CCo.,  to  be  Captain  in  the  <>3rd  Illinois. 

Thor  Simondson,  D  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
loth  Wisconsin  Infantry. 

Albert  15.  ('apron,  B  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
14th  111.  Cal. 

Ira  P.  Eldridge  C  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the  - 
Mo.   Infty. 

Christopher  Peterson,  C  Co.,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in 
the Wis.  Infty. 

I  might  very  properly  at  this  point  call  attention  to 
the  names  of  those  soldiers  in  the  ranks  who  distin 
guished  themselves  by  conspicuous  bravery  in  battle, 
and  who  performed  services  otherwise  important  and 
noteworthy,  but  this  mention  will  appear  as  the  inci 
dents  occur  in  the  natural  course  of  this  narrative. 

The  general  character  of  the  men  who  made  up  the 
rank  and  tile  of  the  regiment  has  been  adverted  to,  but 
it  seems  in  place  here  to  say  something  more  of  the 
several  companies  and  their  organization.  From  the 
fact  that  it  was  known  from  the  beginning  that  it  was 
to  be  the  "Teachers'  Regiment,"  it  attracted  enlist 
ments  from  a  wider  territory  than  any  other  organiza 
tion  in  the  state. 

Of  the  one  hundred  and  one  counties  in  Illinois,  at 
least  eighty  of  them  were  represented  in  the  regiment. 


Except  A,  C  and  G,  the  companies  were  formed  in 
counties  widely  separated.  The  rendezvous  of  Com 
pany  A  was  at  Normal,  but  its  members  came  from  all 
over  the  state,  for  the  reason  that  many  of  them  had 
been  students  at  that  institution.  Company  B  was 
largely  from  DuPage,  Stark  and  LaSalle  counties.  C 
was  a  McLean  county  company  ;  D  from  Christian  and 
Sangarnon  ;  half  of  E  was  from  Bureau  and  half  from 
Knox  ;  F  was  from  Scott  and  Livingston  counties :  G 
from  McLean ;  H  from  Knox  and  Warren  ;  I  from  Pike 
and  K  from  Cass  and  Morgan. 

I  do  not  propose  to  make  any  comparisons  as  to  the 
excellence  and  efficiency  of  the  several  companies. 
That  there  was  a  difference  is  a  matter  of  course.  I 
can  best  give  my  estimate  of  each  of  them  by  quoting 
a  passage  from  a  letter  received  from  a  soldier  of  the 
33rd  who  carried  a  musket  for  four  years.  He  writes: 
"Ours  was  a  good  company;  it  had  to  be,  it  was  in  a 
good  regiment.  We  could  boast  that  we  never  missed  a 
battle  that  the  regiment  was  engaged  in,  or  failed  to 
go  in  with  the  colors  on  any  occasion.  But  I  might 
write  to  all  eternity,  and  not  do  it  full  justice.  I  wish 
to  say  that  all  the  companies  of  the  33rd  were  just  as 
good  as  ours."  I  cordially  endorse  the  sentiments  of 
this  generous  and  level  headed  soldier.  p]xcept  for  an 
occasional  detached  service,  the  history  of  the  regi 
ment  is  the  important  record  of  each  company.  And  I 
can  say  with  him,  that  they  were  always  ready,  and 
equally  ready,  "to  go  in  with  the  colors,"  "and  if  I 
should  write  to  all  eternity,"  1  could  give  them  no 
greater  praise  than  this. 

As  the  only  survivor  of  the  Field  of  the  33rd,  I  write 
sadly  but  lovingly  of  my  comrades  who  are  gone,  but 
as  I  glance  over  what  I  have  put  down,  I  realize  how 
inadequate  is  the  tribute  I  have  tried  to  pay  to  their 
memories,  and  how  far  short  I  have  come  of  describing 
the  value  of  their  services  to  our  country.  It  might  be 
thought  from  what  I  have  written  that  these  men  had 
no  faults  or  frailties;  if  they  had,  I  have  forgotten 
them  and  I  am  sure  all  surviving  comrades  will  join 
me  in  this  sentiment :  "Peace  to  their  ashes"  and  all 
honors  to  their  memories. 


CHAPTER  V. 
FROM  BLOOMINGTON,  ILL.,  TO  ARCADIA,  MO. 


By  August  20,  18(>1,  about  half  the  companies  that 
were  to  make  up  the  33rd  Illinois  Volunteers  had 
reached  Bloomington,  and  some  days  were  spent  drill 
ing  in  the  squares  and  outskirts  of  the  city.  From 
t  ime  to  time  they  were  forwarded  to  Camp  Butler, 
when  by  the  29th  they  had  joined  the  other  companies 
which  were  in  camp,  and  on  the  30th  were  formed  in 
a  regimental  organization. 


•  I  do  not  regard  it  of  importance  to  describe  at  length 
our  stay  in  Camp  Butler  until  our  departure  on  Sep 
tember  19th.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  we  found  ourselves 
on  new  ground  which  we  cleared  of  brush,  pitched  our 
tents,  learned  something  of  squad  and  company  drill 
and  guard  duty.  But  best  of  all  we  made  the  acquain 
tance  of  comrades  with  whom  for  more  than  four  years 
we  shared  the  eventful  experiences  of  an  army  life;  an 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


acquaintance  which  ripened  into  a  friendship  which 
for  the  dead  lasted  to  the  grave  and  for  the  living  still 
endures. 

Rumor  sent  us  at  different  times  to  Washington,  Cin 
cinnati  and  Louisville,  but  on  September  19th  we  were 
marched  to  Jimtown  to  take  the  train  for  St.  Louis. 
"Jimtown"  had  been  made  historic  from  the  fact  that, 
here  Abraham  Lincoln  stepped  from  a  canoe  in  which 
he  had  come  down  the  river  in  March,  1831,  and  stood 
for  the  first  time  on  the  soil  of  Sangamon  county. 
From  this  place  to  East  St.  Louis  was  our  first  journey 
together.  It  was  through  fields  of  ripening  corn,  and 
orchards  bending  and  glowing  with  fruit.  People 
thronged  the  highways  waving  flags  and  handkerchiefs, 
and  sending  cheer  upon  cheer  after  the  rushing  train. 
These  greetings  were  returned  by  waving  of  hats  and 
such  yells  and  shoutings  as  could  only  come  from  lungs 
which  had  been  expanded  by  the  prairie  winds.  Such 
was  our  good-bye  to  Illinois.  How  we  came  back  will 
be  told  farther  on. 

After  a  night  in  a  freight  house  in  East  St.  Louis, 
we  crossed  the  Mississippi  on  the  steamboat  Louisiana, 
and  were  at  last  on  debatable  ground.  By  noon  of  the 
20th  we  were  on  the  Iron  Mountain  railway  in  flat  cars 
bound  for  Pilot  Knob.  Our  arms,  which  we  had  just 
drawn,  were  in  boxes.  We  passed  through  Victoria,  De- 
Soto,  Edward's  Station  and  Lawsons,  places  with  which 
we  were  soon  to  become  familiar,  reaching  our  destina 
tion  well  into  the  night.  On  the  21st  we  received  our 
arms  and  equipments,  and  were  inspected  by  the  Com 
mandant  of  the  post,  Col.  Thayer,  of  the  First  Nebraska. 

Companies  B,  p]  and  K  were  sent  on  the  22nd  to  re 
lieve  three  companies  of  the  First  Nebraska  which 
were  guarding  the  railroad.  Co.  K  was  stationed  at 
Lawson's,  E  at  Big  River  Bridge,  and  Bat  Victoria  and 
Bailey's  Station,  the  latter  place  within  thirty  miles  of 
St.  Louis. 

On  the  23rd  the  regiment  moved  through  Iron  ton  and 
encamped  on  a  hill  overlooking  the  pretty  village  of  Ar 
cadia,  some  three  miles  from  Pilot  Knob.  It  remained 
in  this  camp  until  the  20th  of  October,  building  Fort 


Hovey  and  scouting  in  the  surrounding  country.  On 
this  date  the  regiment  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning 
received  a  stand  of  colors,  a  national  and  state  flag, 
from  the  teachers  of  Chicago.  In  the  afternoon  at  four 
o'clock  the  33rd,  21st  and  38th  Illinois,  8th  Wisconsin, 
a  battalion  of  the  1st  Indiana  cavalry,  and  a  battery, 
all  under  the  command  of  Col.  Carlin  of  the  38th,  moved 
toward  Fredericktown  to  join  forces  sent  from  Cape 
Girardeau  and  Bird's  Point  to  attack  Jeff  Thompson, 
who  was  said  to  be  at  that  place. 

The  troops  marched  nearly  all  night,  reaching  the 
town  on  the  morning  of  the  21st.  In  the  afternoon  the 
troops  from  Cape  Girardeau  discovered  about  fifteen 
hundred  of  the  enemy  hidden  in  the  brush  a  mile  or  so 
from  the  town.  A  skirmish  of  a  few  minutes  ensued,  in 
which  the  Confederates  were  easily  driven  off.  The  17th 
Illinois  and  the  llth  Missouri  had  each  one  man  killed. 
In  charging  down  a  lane  the  gallant  Major  Gavitt,  of 
the  Indiana  Cavalry,  Capt.  Hindman  and  two  men 
were  killed.  The  only  part  the  33rd  had  was  to  ad 
vance  after  the  affair  was  nearly  over  with  Company 
A  deployed  as  skirmishers.  Not  a  man  of  the  troops 
from  Pilot  Knob,  except  the  Indiana  cavalry,  had  a 
scratch.  A  year  later  the  battle  of  Fredericktown 
would  not  have  been  thought  a  respectable  skirmish. 
Yet  a  large  part  of  the  material,  outside  of  diaries, 
which  has  been  sent  me  for  use  in  compiling  the  his 
tory  of  the  33rd  during  the  entire  war,  treats  of  the 
battle  (?)  of  Fredericktown.* 

The  regiment  returned  to  its  old  camp  on  the  2.5th, 
and  on  November  8th  abandoned  Camp  Hovey,  moved 
into  Arcadia  and  occupied  buildings  for  winter  quar 
ters  and  remained  in  that  place  until  March  1st,  1802. 
The  winter  was  passed  in  drilling  and  a  close  study  of 
tactics  and  army  regulations,  varied  with  dances  and 
parties  and  visits  of  friends  from  the  North. 

The  three  companies  which  had  been  sent  to  guard 
the  railroad  on  September  22  must  not  be  forgotten. 
Their  duties  were  to  patrol  the  road,  guard  the  bridges, 
and  make  scouts  in  all  directions.  Company  E  had 
the  most  important  station,  the  guarding  of  the  bridge 


^Explanatory  note  on  the  battle  of  Fredericktown  by 
Captains  J.  H.  Burnham  of  A  Co.  and  E.  J.  Lewis  of 
C  Co.,  June,  1002: 

The  battle  of  Fredericktown,  such  as  it  was  (and 
much  more  such  as  it  was  at  the  time  considered  to 
be),  was  not  entirely  without  importance.  It  occurred 
when  Union  defeats  elsewhere  had  created  general  dis 
couragement,  and  it  terminated  a  rebel  raid  with  an 
unquestionable  reverse.  General  Grant  wrote  to  Col. 
Marsh,  20th  III.  :  "The  importance  of  that  success 
cannot  be  measured  by  any  ordinary  standard  ;  it  gave 
new  life  to  tens  of  thousands  of  our  discouraged  sol 
diers.  It  crushed  out  the  rebellion  in  Southeast  Mis 
souri."  Such  was  certainly  the  impression  produced  at 
the  time. 

As  to  the  33rd 's  part  in  the  affair:  Active  fighting 
was  in  progress  when  we  came  upon  the  field  and 


formed  in  line  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
sight  of  the  large  force  coming  against  them  certainly 
hastened  their  retreat,  which  took  place  immediately 
after.  The  official  report  of  the  Union  commanders  as 
to  the  enemy's  loss  (published  in  the  Rebellion  Rec 
ords),  would  seem  to  have  accepted  the  wildest  camp 
rumors  as  true;  but  they  were  doubtless  believed  at  the 
time  and  produced  their  effect  on  public  opinion.  Col. 
Plummer  declares  that  "1.58  of  their  dead  were  buried 
by  our  troops"  before  he  left  Fredericktown,  and  Col. 
Carlin,  after  spending  three  days— as  he  claims— in 
getting  up  the  dead  and  wounded,  puts  their  Joss  at 
three  hundred.  Jeff  Thompson's  adjutant  officially  re 
ports  their  dead  at  twenty,  while  he  liberally  credits  us 
with  an  "acknowledged"  loss  of  four  hundred.  It 
would  seem  that  most  of  the  victims  on  both  sides  were 
clad  in  "buckram  and  Kendal  green." 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


23 


across  Big  River  about  half  way  between  Pilot  Knob 
and  St.  Louis.  Its  camp  was  on  a  hill,  through  which 
there  was  a  very  deep  railway  cut,  and  in  easy  gun 
shot  of  the  bridge.  The  first  work  of  the  company  was 
to  construct  a  stone  wall  along  the  cut  and  a  breast 
work  in  rear  of  the  camp,  where  an  attack  would  be 
made  if  made  at  all. 

After  a  few  days  Lieut.  Bryant  and  Corporal  John 
M.  Bruner,  disguised  as  "butternuts,"  made  a  scout  to 
discover  what  they  could.  They  returned  after  a  couple 
of  days  and  reported  that  there  was  a  large  plantation 
about  ten  miles  distant,  which  was  a  rendezvous  for 
recruits  for  Price's  army.  Bryant  and  Bruner,  repre 
senting  themselves  as  recruits  on  their  way  to  join 
Price,  were  handsomely  entertained,  and  obtained  in 
formation  that  arms  were  concealed  on  the  place,  and 
that  reports  of  the  movements  of  our  troops  were  being 
sent  to  the  enemy.  An  expedition  of  forty  men  made  a 
most  difficult  march  at  night,  through  the  dense 
woods,  surrounded  the  house  at  daylight,  and  took 
prisoners  the  owner  of  the  plantation,  several  of  his 
grown  up  sons,  and  a  number  of  Confederate  recruits. 
The  owner  denied  being  a  rebel,  but  when  confronted 
with  Bryant  and  Bruner,  his  protestations  suddenly 
ceased.  The  arms  were  discovered,  and  rifles  given  to 
about  twenty  negroes  who  belonged  to  the  place,  who 
were  forced  to  march  our  prisoners  back  to  camp.  The 
spectacle  of  those  grinning  negroes  marching  their 
fiery  old  master  and  his  furious  sons  at  the  muzzles  of 
their  rifles,  would  have  been  enjoyed  by  Wendell  Phil 
lips  and  William  Lloyd  Garrison.  I  believe  this  was  the 
first  time  in  the  war  that  slaves  were  liberated  and 
armed.  I  have  reason  to  remember  this,  for  when  our 
prisoners,  with  the  evidence  against  them,  were  sent  to 
Pilot  Knob,  the  rebels,  as  we  supposed,  to  be  detained, 
and  the  negroes  to  work  on  the  fort,  the  whole  batch 
was  promptly  sent  back  by  Col.  Carlin,  and  with 
them  a  severe  reprimand  for  myself,  stating  that  I  had 
done  "what  the  President  of  the  United  States  had  not 
seen  fit  to  do — liberate  and  arm  the  slaves."  However, 
I  was  not  greatly  cast  down,  but  rather  proud  of  being 
a  pioneer  in  "freeing  the  slaves.  "  I  am  quite  sure  those 
poor  black  fellows  had  a  lively  time  of  it  when  they 
got  back  to  the  plantation. 

On  October  loth  there  were  about  forty  men  in  camp, 
Lieut.  Bryant  with  part  of  the  company  being  sta 
tioned  at  Victoria,  and  a  squad  was  farther  south 
toward  Lawson's.  At  dawn  the  picket,  who  had  been 
placed  at  some  distance  in  the  woods,  fired  his  gun 
and  came  rushing  into  camp  shouting  that  the  enemy 
was  upon  us.  The  men  had  been  instructed  in  case  of 
an  attack  to  go  instantly  to  our  slight  breastworks. 
This  they  did,  and  most  of  them  without  hats,  coats  or 
shoes.  I  know  I  was  in  this  kind  of  dress  myself.  I 
hurried  to  the  side  of  Sergeant  Foster,  who  had  charge 
of  the  night  guard,  and  who  was  aiming  his  musket 
over  the  wall.  I  had  only  reached  him  when  he  fell 
dead,  shot  through  the  head.  The  enemy  at  once  de 
ployed  in  the  woods  and  thickets  in  front  of  our  little 


defensive  work,  and  literally  cut  our  tents  and  every 
thing  else  in  sight  into  shreds,  our  fellows  returning 
the  fire  as  best  they  could  with  their  clumsy  weapons. 
They  were  the  Belgian  musket,  a  recent  purchase  of 
the  government,  and  looked  as  if  they  might  have  been 
used  at  Waterloo.  They  carried  a  large  bull  and  three 
buckshot,  and  the  recoil  was  fearful.  They  were  fired 
with  a  metallic  primer  with  a  short  tail  of  twisted 
wire.  To  insert  this  primer  into  the  small  hole  in  the 
side  of  the  breech  required  a  steady  hand  and  the  most 
undivided  attention,  and  to  accomplish  this  difficult  feat 
while  being  shot  at  was  extremely  trying.  What  a  dif 
ference  between  those  arms  and  the  maga/ine  gun  of 
this  day  ! 

It  was  not  long  until  the  enemy  worked  around  the 
flanks  of  our  defense,  and  across  the  railroad,'  and  be 
gan  firing  from  the  other  side  of  the  railway  cut.  We 
were  thus  having  it  from  all  points  of  the  compass. 
There  were  but  forty  of  us,  and  of  the  Confederates 
certainly  several  hundred— anyway,  enough.  We  soon 
became  well  discouraged  and  quit. 

There  were  a  good  ninny  of  the  enemy  killed  and 
wounded,  how  many,  I  don't  know.  One  was  killed 
in  my  tent  by  Win.  R.  Evans  when  they  rushed  our 
camp.  Our  loss  was  one  killed  and  seven  wounded,  not 
great,  but  somewhat  larger  than  that  of  the  regiment 
at  the  "Battle  of  Fredericktown. " 

To  show  that  we  were  under  quite  a  severe  fire,  I 
will  state  that  a  hand  could  hardly  be  placed  anywhere 
on  the  tents  without  covering  a  bullet  hole.  Our  little 
breastwork  had  been  our  salvation.  In  my  tent  there 
was  a  dry  goods  box  on  which  were  some  writing  ma 
terials.  The  ink  bottle  had  been  broken  by  a  ball,  and 
Gen,  Jeff  Thompson,  the  commander  of  the  rebel  force, 
wrote  our  parole  by  scooping  up  the  spilled  ink  with  a 
pen.  On  this  same  box  there  was  a  buckskin  purse 
that  had  the  clasp  shot  away.  On  our  way  home 
through  Bloomington  Prof.  Wilbur  took  this  purse  out 
on  the  street  and  had  it  filled  with  silver  and  presented 
it  to  the  company. 

I  did  not  wish  a  parole,  and  insisted  on  going  with 
Gen.  Thompson  as  a  prisoner;  but  he  flatly  refused, 
saying  I  was  not  in  condition  for  hard  travel,  and  that 
he  could  not  be  bothered  with  prisoners  anyway.  He 
bound  up  my  arm,  which  had  a  hole  through  the 
elbow,  and  advised  me  to  go  home  and  let  the  Confed 
eracy  alone  Not  being  able  to  help  myself,  I  took  his 
advice  so  far  as  going  home  was  concerned. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Rebellion  Records, 
Vol.  I,  Series  II,  Page  53!),  will  be  of  interest  to  com 
panies  E  and  K : 

THOMPSON  TO  CARLIN. 

New  Madrid,  Feb.  1!»,  1K(>± 
Col.  W.  P.  Carlin, 

U.  S.  Army  Commandant, 

I ron ton,  Mo. 

Colonel :— Your  favor  of  January  30th  in  regard  to  ex 
change  of  Capt.  Elliott  and  others  for  those  of  my 
command,  held  prisoners  of  war  by  the  U.  S.  forces, 


GENERAL  HISTORY, 


was  but  this  day  received,  I  having  been  absent  in 
Richmond.  I  enclose  herewith  a  general  order  releas 
ing  all  captured  on  the  Iron  Mountain  Railroad  from 
their  parole,  but  must  remind  you  that  there  were  .54 
enlisted  men  taken  at  the  bridge,  and  nine  at  Black- 
well's  Station. 

General  Polk  deemed  it  expedient  to  exchange  Capt. 
Elliott  for  Capt.  Griffiths,  who  was  in  my  service  in 
Brown's  battalion,  but  whose  term  of  service  had  ex 
pired,  and  who  is  one  of  those  whom  1  counted  as  sim 
ply  citizens.  This,  however,  disposed  of  Capt.  Elliott. 

*•**•*•**#•*## 
I  am  sorry  that   I  did  not 'see  Capt.  Elliott,  as  I  ex 
pect  he  has  the  idea  that  most  others  have  who  have 
had  the  misfortune  to  be  my  prisoners,  viz.,  that  I  am 
disposed  to  be  a  clever  fellow. 

Yours  most  respectfully, 

M.  JEFF.   THOMPSON, 
Brigadier  General. 

At  Big  River  Bridge  I  lost  everything — sword,  sash, 
uniform  and  all.  Just  before  leaving  home  I  had  been 
presented  with  a  fine  sword,  sash  and  belt.  The  pres 
entation  was  made  at  a  great  gathering  of  citizens  at 
the  Court  House.  In  acknowledging  the  gift  I  stated 
I  would  "never  lay  down  that  sword  until  the  Union 
was  saved  and  every  slave  set  free;  that  I  would  bring 
it  back  with  honor  or  not  come  home  at  all, "  and  other 
statements  of  like  gushing  character.  It  took  some 
nerve  to  return  home  inside  of  six  weeks  without  that 
sword,  or  anything  else  except  my  trousers. 

A  number  of  humorous  incidents  occurred  at  the  time 
of  that  scrimmage  which  may  be  worth  relating. 

When  it  was  seen  that  the  enemy  was  closing  around 
us,  Sergeant  Pratt  was  sent  with  a  few  men  to  the  end 
of  the  unfinished  wall,  and  rinding  it  an  unprotected 
and  dangerous  place,  he  compelled  one  of  the  largest 
of  his  men  to  get  down  on  his  hands  and  knees,  and 
resting  his  gun  on  the  back  of  this  living  breastwork, 
kept  up  a  continuous  tire. 

One  of  the  men  who  had  been  ill  was  down  at  the 
river  to  till  his  canteen  before  the  fray  began.  After 
the  affair  was  over  he  was  slowly  climbing  the  hill  to 
see  what  had  become  of  his  comrades.  When  the  rebels 
caught  sight  of  his  blue  uniform  they  drew  their  guns 
on  him.  He  dropped  his  canteen,  threw  up  his  hands, 
and  cried  out,  "Please,  gentlemen,  don't  shoot,  I'm 
not  well. " 

While  ransacking  our  camp,  one  of  the  "butternuts" 
discovered  a  pair  of  boxing  gloves.  Thrusting  his  hands 
into  them  he  exclaimed,  "Hell  !  how  cold  it  must  be  up 
thar  when  they  hev  to  wear  such  mittens  as  them  !" 

After  Thompson  had  disposed  of  Company  E,  he 
burnt  the  bridge,  cutting  off  communication  between 
St.  Louis  and  Pilot  Knob,  and  started  south  along  the 
railroad.  Within  two  miles  he  struck  Capt.  Lippincott 
with  Company  K  coming  to  our  assistance.  A  most 
lively  engagement  took  place  in  the  open  fields.  That 
gallant  company  made  a  heroic  stand  against  over 
whelming  numbers.  A  number  of  the  company  were 


badly  wounded,  and  Lieut.  Nixon  and  rive  men  taken 
prisoners  and  paroled.  The  enemy  lost  seven  killed  ; 
the  number  of  wounded  was  not  known.  Great  credit 
is  due  Capt.  Lippincott  and  his  company  for  escaping 
the  fate  of  Company  E. 

Lippincott  had  a  hand  to  hand  encounter  with  a  rebel 
officer,  arid  prodded  him  savagely  with  his  blunt 
sword,  without  doing  him  any  great  injury.  When  the 
dull  condition  of  Lippincott's  weapon  was  reported  in 
the  regiment,  most  of  the  officers  sent  their  swords  to 
St.  Louis  to  be  ground.  Adjutant  Gove  writes  that 
his  sword,  which  hangs  over  the  mantel  in  his  home 
in  Denver,  is  as  sharp  as  it  was  when  it  was  returned 
from  St.  Louis. 

The  paroled  prisoners  were  sent  to  their  homes  to 
await  exchange.  I  at  once  set  about  trying  to  effect  it, 
visiting  St.  Louis  again  and  again,  and  cooling  my 
heels  for  weeks  at  a  time  about  the  headquarters  of 
Gen.  Halleck,  enduring  unnumbered  snubs  and  insults 
from  that  irascible  and  tape-wrapped  officer.  There 
was  at  that  time  no  well  arranged  cartel  of  exchange, 
and  I  knew  that  our  release  would  depend  upon  persis 
tent  personal  effort.  At  last  Gen.  Halleck  decided  to 
send  me  to  Pilot  Knob,  then  across  country  to  New 
Madrid,  but  happily  changed  his  mind,  and  sent  me 
to  Cairo  with  instructions  to  Gen.  Grant  to  try  and 
effect  our  exchange  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  the  nearest 
Confederate  Post.  I  lost  no  time  in  starting  for  Cairo, 
reaching  there  February  1,  1802,  a  memorable  day  for 
me,  as  it  was  the  first  time  I  saw  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 
His  troops  were  already  on  the  transports  destined  for 
Fort  Henry,  but  he  attended  to  my  small  affair  with 
great  promptness  and  kindness,  when  his  mind  must 
have  been  full  of  the  momentous  undertaking  in  which 
he  was  about  to  engage.  I  doubt  if  I  could  have  ap 
proached  within  gun  shot  of  the  headquarters  of  any 
other  general  in  the  army,  under  the  same  circum 
stances.  This  was  the  beginning  of  my  admiration  for 
Gen.  Grant,  and  it  can  be  understood  how  strongly  I 
sympathized  with  him  in  the  humiliating  and  out 
rageous  treatment  he  received  from  Halleck  after 
Shiloh.  It  is  an  illustration  of  the  magnanimity  of 
the  Great  Commander  that  he  did  not  resent  this  treat 
ment  when  he  had  a  chance.  I  wish  the  chance  to  get 
even  with  Gen.  Halleck  had  been  mine.  I  would  have 
foregone  a  reputation  for  magnanimity  for  a  great  sat 
isfaction. 

When  I  handed  Gen.  Grant  my  orders  from  Gen. 
Halleck,  he  examined  them,  and  without  saying  a 
word  turned  to  his  table  and  quickly  wrote  the  follow 
ing  letter,  which  appears  in  the  Rebellion  Records,  Vol. 
I,  Series  II,  Page  587  : 

Headquarters  District  of  Cairo. 

Cairo,  Feb.  1,  18<>± 
Major  General  L.  Polk, 

Commanding  Confederate  Forces, 
Columbus,  Ky. 

General:— The  bearer,  Capt.  Elliott,  U.  S.  Army,  lias 
just  arrived  from  Pilot  Knob,  bearer  of  a  proposal  to 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


25 


exchange  prisoners  of   war  held    by  us   for  those  taken 
by  Gen.  Thompson  at   Big  River  Bridge  on  the  loth  of 
October  last.     I    would    respectfully  request  that  if   in 
consistent    with  your  rules  to  permit  Captain  Elliott  to 
visit   New   Madrid,  you    forward    the   proposal  of  Col. 
Carlin  to  Gen.  Thompson,  and  return  his  reply  to  Cairo 
by  any  means  that  may  suit  your  pleasure. 
Very  respectfully, 
Your  obdt.  servant, 

U.  K.  GRANT, 
Brigadier  General. 

When  he  handed  me  this  letter,  he  stated  that  his 
boats  were  all  in  use,  and  tnere  was  nothing  suitable 
in  which  1  could  go  down  the  river,  but  that  there  was 
an  old  ferry  boat  tied  up  at  the  wharf  which  I  could 
have  if  I  cared  to  risk  ii.  I  gladly  accepted  his  offer, 
found  the  boat,  hunted  up  a  pilot  and  engineer,  hired 
a  negro  for  fireman,  took  on  wood,  and  bought  a  piece 
of  white  muslin  and  ran  it  up  on  the  jack  staff  for  a 
flag  of  truce. 

The  next  day,  in  this  cru/y  old  craft,  we  started 
down  the  river,  which  was  very  high  and  running  full 
of  ice.  About  half  way  to  Columbus  we  met  a  steam 
boat,  the  "Ohio  Belle,"  carrrying  a  Confederate  flag  of 
truce.  Thinking  it  just  as  well  they  should  not  see  the 
loaded  transports  at  Cairo,  I  hailed  the  boat  and  went  on 
board  and  submitted  my  letter  to  the  commanding  offi 
cer,  and  requested  that  he  return  with  it  to  Columbus, 
while  I  would  transact  any  business  he  might  have  at 
Cairo  and  come  down  to  Columbus  next  day  for  a  reply 
to  my  communication. 

My  proposition  was  curtly  rejected,  and  my  immedi 
ate  departure  suggested  with  some  politeness  and  a  good 
deal  of  earnestness.  The  "Ohio  Belle"  was  filled  with 
officers  and  finely  dressed  ladies,  who  were  evidently 
having  a  delightful  time.  The  Confederacy  was  feel 
ing  a  bit  gayer  just  then  than  it  did  somewhat  later. 
It  was  their  last  excursion  that  far  up  the  Mississippi 
for  some  time. 

When    Hearing    the    batteries    at    Columbus    a    gun 


brought  us  to,  but  on  corning  about  it  was  discovered 
that  our  boat  could  hardly  be  held  against  the  swift 
current.  I  expected  a  boat  would  be  sent  out  to  us  at 
once,  but  none  came,  and  after  waiting  a  long  time,  I 
thought  we  might  safely  drop  down  nearer  the  batter 
ies  and  perhaps  see  something  of  interest.  I  did  see 
something  of  great  interest.  It  was  a  solid  shot  splash 
ing  the  water  close  under  our  stern.  No  doubt  it  was 
fired  simply  to  scare  us,  and  the  success  of  the  idea  was 
perfect. 

Our  boat  had  a  whistle  with  a  most  pitiful  screech 
that  was  soon  heard,  and  our  engine  worked  to  its  full 
power,  and,  putting  on  all  steam,  we  crept  back  to  our 
former  place.  I  have  thought  a  thousand  times  how 
those  rebs  must  have  laughed  when  they  heard  our 
whistle. 

No  boat  came  out  until  the  return  of  the  "Ohio 
Belle,"  when  one  was  sent.  I  submitted  my  letter  and 
asked  to  go  ashore  to  await  a  decision,  but  was  told 
that  I  must  return  at  once  to  Cairo,  where  a  reply 
would  be  sent  in  a  day  or  two.  I  was  in  a  frenzy  to  be 
exchanged,  and  begged  to  go  to  Gen.  Thompson  at 
New  Madrid,  but  it  was  of  no  use. 

On  returning,  the  night  was  very  dark  and  our  boat 
could  not  make  a  mile  an  hour.  When  about  half  way 
to  Cairo  our  tiller  rope  broke,  and  the  boat  began 
whirling  around  in  the  rapid  current.  The  easy  infer 
ence  was  that  it  would  soon  be  blown  to  atoms  by  the 
batteries,  but  upon  the  suggestion  of  the  negro  fire 
man,  when  the  bow  came  toward  shore  steam  was  put 
on,  and  when  the  stern  pointed  in  that  direction  the 
engineer  gave  her  "a  lick  back,"  and  in  this  way 
we  ran  into  the  woods  and  tied  up  to  a  tree  until 
morning. 

We  reached  Cairo  at  one  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of 
February  3rd.  Two  days  later  a  boat  arrived  from 
Columbus,  and  the  long  wished  for  exchange  was 
brought  about.  I  hurried  to  Princeton,  the  paroled 
men  were  quickly  assembled,  and  joined  the  regiment 
the  day  before  it  started  on  the  march  into  Arkansas. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
FROM  ARCADIA,  MO.,  TO  HELENA,  ARK. 


On  March  1,  1862,  the  companies  of  the  33rd,  being 
all  together  for  the  first  time  in  six  months,  started 
south  for  Arcadia,  Mo.,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  its  objective  being  to  join  the  army  of  the  South 
west  under  General  Curtis  somewhere  in  Arkansas. 

I  have  not  access  to  any  records  which  enable  me  to 
name  all  the  organizations  which  started  on  this  cam 
paign,  but  1  remember  that  the  21st  and  38th  Illinois 
and  the  First  Indiana  cavalry  moved  some  days  before. 

The  regiment  began  this  march  with  great  rejoicing. 

4 


It  had  been  inactive  through  the  winter,  had  heard  of 
the  great  victory  at  Donelson,  and  was  fearful  that  the 
war  would  be  over  before  it  had  a  chance  to  do  some 
important  service,  an  anxiety  that  proved  to  have  no 
foundation. 

Our  march  the  first  day  was  but  the  short  distance  of 
five  miles,  and  was  notable  only  for  the  enormous 
amount  of  what  Caesar  would  call  "impedimenta"  that 
was  carried.  We  had  seventeen  army  wagons,  each 
drawn  by  three  mule  teams,  and  in  addition  there  were 


26 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


several  ambulances.  Every  company  had  a  wagon, 
and  the  others  were  divided  between  headquarters,  the 
hospital  and  quartermaster.  This  was  in  great  con 
trast  with  our  later  service,  when  we  had  but  one 
wagon  to  the  regiment,  and  very  often  none  at  all.  In 
addition  to  his  gun,  cartridge  box,  haversack  and  can 
teen,  each  soldier  carried  a  knapsack,  which,  with 
its  contents,  weighed  at  least  forty  pounds,  many  of 
them  much  more;  and  on  top  of  this  was  strapped  an 
overcoat.  These  knapsacks  contained  extra  clothing, 
books,  pictures,  writing  materials,  geological  specimens 
and  brie  a  brae  of  all  kinds,  Moulton  of  Company  I 
carried  a  cabinet  that  would  have  been  a  credit  to  any 
museum  of  geology.  It  was  stated  by  his  comrades 
that  it  was  afterward  confiscated  to  build  a  fort.  These 
knapsacks  gave  place  ere  long  to  a  single  woolen  blan 
ket  rolled  in  a  "gum"  blanket,  which,  with  the  ends 
tied  together,  was  carried  across  the  shoulders.  Foi 
the  next  few  days  the  roadside  was  strewn  with  the 
contents  of  these  knapsacks,  and  all  thought  of  further 
pursuit  in  literature,  science  and  art  was  abandoned. 

On  Sunday,  March  2nd,  we  renewed  our  journey  by 
crossing  on  logs  felled  across  it,  a  narrow,  but  deep  and 
rapid  stream.  This  was  almost  an  hourly  experience 
for  the  next  few  days,  as  the  country  WHS  rough  and 
hilly  and  the  streams  were  swollen  from  incessant 
rains.  The  roads,  of  course,  were  abominable  and  the 
marches  were  most  wearisome. 

On  the  4th  we  reached  the  St.  Francis  river,  where 
we  halted  until  the  9th,  drilling  and  waiting  for  I 
know  not  what.  We  arrived  at  Reeves  Ferry  at  Black 
river  on  the  10th,  crossed  on  an  old  rickety  ferry  boat, 
and  went  into  camp  near  the  38th  Illinois  and  Planter's 
1st  Missouri  battery,  where  we  stayed  until  April  l()th. 
On  the  evening  of  the  10th  we  had  a  great  scare. 
About  nine  o'clock  two  cannon  shots  boomed  out  across 
the  river,  the  long  roll  sounded  and  shouts  of  "fall  in" 
were  heard  everywhere.  It  was  thought  for  a  time 
that  the  whole  Confederacy  was  right  on  top  of  us,  but 
it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  disturbance  arose  from 
Lit.  Col.  Wood  having  h'red  a  salute  in  celebration  of  a 
reported  victory  at  New  Madrid.  Col.  Wood  exper 
ienced  a  brief  arrest  for  his  enthusiasm. 

On  the  20th  we  were  joined  by  the  16th  Ohio  battery, 
and  on  the  27th  by  the  llth  Wisconsin  Infantry,  a  regi 
ment  with  which  we  were  associated  in  brigade  and 
division  until  nearly  the  close  of  the  war.  On  the  28th 
Gen.  Steele  arrived  and  was  received  with  all  military 
ceremony.  The  troops  were  formed  in  two  brigades  on 
the  next  day.  First  brigade,  21st  and  38th  Illinois  and 
10th  Ohio  battery;  second  brigade,  33rd  Illinois,  llth 
Wisconsin,  and  Manter's  1st  Missouri  batteiy.  Col. 
W.  P.  Carlin  commanded  the  first  and  Col.  Charles  E. 
Hovey  the  second  brigade. 

The  weeks  passed  at  Reeves  Ferry  were  uneventful, 
the  time  being  spent  in  drilling,  scouting,  foraging 
and  visiting  some  interesting  caves  in  the  vicinity.  It 
was  here  that  we  heard  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and 
other  engagements,  and  everybody  was  impatient  to  be 


on  the  move.  At  last,  on  April  lUth,  we  moved  out  in 
the  rain  and  made  five  miles.  Stayed  in  that  camp  the 
20th  and  21st  on  account  of  a  steady  downpour  of  rain, 
and  on  the  22nd  marched  twelve  miles  through  the 
deep  mud  to  Little  Black  river.  This  was  done  on  half 
rations.  Moved  but  six  miles  on  the  23rd,  and  on  the 
next  day  marched  twelve  miles,  reaching  Pittman's 
Ferry  at  four  p.  m.  in  the  rain.  Next  day  Companies 
C  and  I  were  crossed  over  and  sent  forward  to  prepare 
the  roads.  The  regiment  crossed  on  the  20th  and  went 
into  camp  for  two  days.  Moved  again  on  the  29th,  and 
arrived  at  Pocahontas  on  the  next  afternoon.  In  camp  at 
that  place  for  a  day,  and  on  the  second  of  May  marched 
twelve  miles  on  the  road  to  Jackson  port.  Crossed  the 
river  on  the  next  day,  and  wallowed  four  miles  through 
a  cypress  swamp.  On  the  4th  sixteen  very  long  miles 
were  left  behind,  with  a  heavy  rain  and  the  worst  of 
roads  to  do  it  with.  This  was  Sunday,  but  a  very 
discouraging  day  for  the  Chaplain.  On  the  5th  the 
roads  were  greatly  improved,  and  also  the  moral  tone 
of  the  regiment.  After  a  march  of  fourteen  miles, 
camp  was  made  on  Black  river  at  Bird's  Point,  where 
we  stayed  three  days. 

Moved  on  the  10th  to  Jacksonport  at  the  confluence 
of  Black  and  White  rivers.  On  this  date  Carlin's  bri 
gade  was  hurriedly  sent  back  to  Cape  Girardeau,  then 
to  Corinth.  It  was  a  great  disappointment  that  we 
were  not  sent  also.  We  crossed  the  Black  just  above  its 
mouth  on  the  afternoon  of  the  loth.  This  required 
until  after  midnight.  At  four  p.  m.  next  day  we 
moved  seven  miles  toward  Batesville.  We  were  now 
in  a  country  that  had  not  before  been  occupied  by  Fed 
eral  troops,  and  the  old  conditions  existed  on  the  plan 
tations.  The  negro  was  not  yet  a  "contraband  of 
war."  Many  of  them  came  into  our  camps  and  were 
closely  followed  by  their  owners,  who  insolently  de 
manded  their  return.  Most  of  the  soldiers  of  the  33rd 
were  the  sons  of  men  who  had  resisted  the  "fugitive 
slave  law,"  and  were  by  no  means  disposed  to  engage 
in  slave  catching.  The  orders  were  such  at  that  time 
that  officers  commanding  troops  in  the  field  could  not 
well  refuse  to  allow  a  master  to  take  a  slave  when 
found. 

At  this  stop  I  was  on  duty  as  Officer  of  the  Day,  and 
was  ordered  to  go  with  a  planter  to  search  for  a  negro 
whom  he  alleged  was  in  our  camp.  I  knew  that  the 
fugitive  had  just  been  employed  as  cook  in  my  own 
company,  and  I  at  once  let  it  be  known  through  the 
regiment  the  service  I  was  required  to  perform,  and 
suggested  that  when  the  planter  came  for  his  property 
he  should  be  received  with  all  theattention  his  business 
demanded,  and  also  requested  that  if  any  clubs  were 
thrown,  my  personal  safety  should  be  carefully  regard 
ed.  We  entered  the  camp  on  horseback,  and  in  an  in 
stant  there  was  a  fearful  tumult;  yells,  hoots,  and  jeers 
arose  on  all  sides.  Clubs  and  stones  filled  the  air,  and 
the  man  hunter  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  fled  at  full 
speed.  I  reported  that  the  runaway  was  not  found. 
This  was  the  last  hunt  for  a  slave  in  our  regiment. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


On  the  17th  we  went  into  camp  within  seven  miles 
of  Batesville  and  stayed  there  until  the  2oth,  when  we 
moved  near  the  town  and  were  most  comfortably  lo 
cated.  We  here  joined  part  of  the  forces  that  had 
fought  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  on  the  oth  of  March, 
and  we  were  now  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Gen.  Curtis.  The  situation  was  now  somewhat  critical. 
The  long  road  to  Pilot  Knob  was  interrupted  by  the 
enemy  ;  supplies  had  failed  to  come  by  way  of  White 
River,  and  little  or  none  to  be  had  by  foraging,  and  on 
these  accounts  a  move  to  Little  Rock,  the  objective 
point,  was  deemed  impracticable.  We  were  down  to  a 
few  hardtack  and  such  scrawny  cattle  as  could  be 
picked  up  by  foragers.  The  enemy  began  to  show  signs 
of  great  activity,  and  the  only  thing  that  seemed  left 
to  do  was  to  make  for  Helena,  on  the  Mississippi  river, 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles  away. 

At  half  past  three  on  June  22nd  a  start  was  made  on 
the  return  trip  to  Jacksonport,  marching  until  10 
o'clock  at  night.  Next  day  we  reached  Black  river, 
laid  a  pontoon  bridge,  and  spent  two  days  in  crossing. 
On  June  24th  Curtis  reported  to  Halleck  :  "My  cavalry 
is  breaking  down,  my  trains  have  to  go  sixty  miles  for 
forage."  June  2oth,  "My  stock  is  almost  starving ;" 
June  26,  "I  have  called  in  my  outposts  with  a  view  of 
moving  to  Augusta,  or  if  necessary  to  the  Mississippi 
at  Helena;"  June  30,  "I  shall  move  my  force  to  Jack 
sonport,  where  1  hope  the  canebrakes  will  do  for  for 
age."  How  much  that  sounds  like  McClellan.  This 
was  Curtis's  idea  of  his  situation  ;  however,  he  was 
much  worse  scared  than  there  was  any  need  for. 

How  the  Confederates  regarded  it  may  be  known 
from  the  following  proclamation  of  Gen.  Hindman.  It 
will  also  show  the  kind  of  bushwhacking  we  experi 
enced  on  this  march  : 

June  24th,  1862.— "The  yankee  Gen.  Curtis  is  trying 
to  escape.  His  position  has  become  untenable.  He  is 
appalled  at  the  dangers  which  surround  him.  In  his 
terror  he  resorts  to  the  desperate  expedient  of  moving 
to  the  south  along  White  river,  trusting  to  supplies  from 
the  Mississippi  by  boats.  These  supplies  cannot  ascend 
White  river.  We  have  already  blown  up  one  of  his 
iron  clad  boats  and  crippled  another,  and  can  hold  the 
river  against  his  fleet.  The  question  now  is,  shall  his 
army  reach  the  fleet  below?  You  can  prevent  it.  The 
power  is  in  your  hands,  the  plan  is  no  secret,  I  pro 
claim  it  to  you  all. 

"Take  your  gun  and  ammunition,  every  man  of  you  ; 
mount  your  horse  or  go  afoot ;  do  not  wait  an  hour  up 
on  your  neighbor;  lose  no  time  in  holding  meetings; 
move  toward  the  enemy  by  the  shortest  road  ;  join  the 
first  company  you  overtake  upon  the  march  ;  press  up 
on  the  invader  from  every  direction  ;  attack  him  day 
and  liight;  kill  his  scouts  and  pickets;  kill  his  pilots 
and  troops  on  transports;  cut  off  his  wagon  trains;  lay 
in  ambush  and  surprise  his  detachments;  shoot  his 
mounted  officers;  destroy  every  pound  of  meat  and 
flour,  every  ear  of  corn  and  stack  of  fodder,  oats  and 
wheat  that  can  fall  into  his  hands ;  fell  trees  as  thickly 


as  rafts  in  all  the  roads  before  him  ;  burn  every  bridge 
and  block  up  the  fords;  hang  upon  his  front,  flank 
and  rear,  and  make  the  ring  of  your  rifles  and  shot 
guns  an  accompaniment  of  every  foot  of  his  retreat." 
June  20th  we  moved  with  Steele's  division  through 
Jacksonport  and  down  the  east  bank  of  White  river 
and  camped  eight  miles  from  the  town.  Next  day  a. 
forage  train  that  had  .gone  out  a  distance  of  seven  miles 
was  attacked,  and  a  Lieutenant  and  two  men  of  the 
3rd  Iowa  cavalry  were  killed.  .  Lieut.  Higginsand  forty 
men  of  Co.  K  were  in  the  melee,  but  had  no  casualties. 
The  day  after,  the  9th  Illinois  cavalry  had  a  sharp 
skirmish  at  Grand  Gla/e,  in  which  one  man  was  killed, 
and  about  twenty  wounded.  The  33rd  and  8th  Indiana, 
under  Gen.  Benton,  were  sent  to  the  assistance  of  the 
cavalry,  and  followed  the  rebels  for  ten  miles,  but 
could  not  come  up  with  them,  and  returned  to  camp  in 
the  evening.  Remained  in  camp  during  the  29th  and 
30th,  sending  out  foraging  parties.  Starting  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  July  1st,  moved  ten  miles  on 
the  Augusta  road,  Benton 's  brigade  leading.  A  num 
ber  of  houses  and  cotton  gins  were  burned  along  the 
way,  which  brought  from  Gen.  Steele  an  order  directr 
ing  "any  commissioned  officer  to  shoot  down  any  sol 
dier  caught  firing  a  building." 

In  the  afternoon  six  companies,  under  Col.  Hovey, 
were  sent  forward  to  reconnoiter.  They  soon  came  to  a, 
blockade  of  felled  trees,  which  the  men  crawled  through 
and  drove  the  rebel  pickets  from  the  other  side,  chas 
ing  them  until  dark  and  returning  to  camp  late  in  the 
night.  These  blockades  were  of  frequent  occurrence, 
but  were  of  no  great  hindrance  to  our  progress,  as  our 
men  would  cut  through  an  obstruction  in  an  hour, 
which  had  taken  the  enemy  days  to  make.  Next  day 
a  road  was  cut  through  the  fallen  timber,  and  on  July 
3rd  Augusta  was  reached,  the  Indiana  cavalry  leading, 
and  having  sharp  skirmishes  all  the  way. 

July  4th  was  celebrated  in  Augusta  by  firing  salutes, 
the  reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
speeches  by  Gen.  Benton,  Cols.  Hovey  and  Washburn. 
Remained  at  Augusta  on  the  5th,  and  marched  at  five 
a.  m.  on  the  (5th,  still  encountering  the  enemy  behind 
barricades  of  felled  trees;  marched  fourteen  miles  and 
camped  in  a  canebrake  on  a  branch  of  Cache  creek. 

On  the  7th  of  July  the  Army  of  the  Southwest  was 
encamped  at  the  junction  of  Cache  river  and  Bayou 
Cache,  when  our  advance  was  interrupted  by  another 
blockade  of  fallen  timber.  A  road  had  been  cut 
through  this  obstruction  on  the  evening  of  the  6th,  and 
early  next  morning  Col.  Hovey  was  ordered  to  open  a 
road  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Cache  and  make  a  re- 
connoissance  down  the  Clarendon  road,  along  which 
the  army  was  to  march.  Col.  Hovey  detailed  for  this 
enterprise  the  following  troops:  Col.  Harris  of  the 
llth  Wisconsin,  with  four  companies  of  his  regiment, 
viz.:  Company  D,  Capt.  Miller,  F.  Lt.  Chesbro ;  H, 
Capt.  Christie;  G,  Capt.  Partridge;  and  four  compan 
ies  of  the  33rd  Illinois— A,  Capt.  Potter;  E,  Capt. El 
liott  ;  I,  Capt.  Lawton  ;  K,  Lieut.  Nixon,  and  one  small 


28 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


rifle  cannon  under  Lieut.  Drennenmn  of  the  1st  Indi 
ana  cavalry— all  told  something  less  than  four  hundred 
men.  The  detachment  moved  about  11  a.  in.  and  pro 
ceeded  rapidly,  with  skirmishers  thrown  out,  a  distance 
of  about  seven  miles  to  Hill's  plantation,  where  a 
picket  of  the  enemy  was  discovered  at  a  cross  roads; 
the  picket  when  fired  upon  tied  into  the  woods.  Our 
troops  advanced  straight  ahead  some  three-quarters  of 
a  mile  to  a  dense  woods,  where  it  was  learned  from  two 
negroes  in  hiding  that  the  enemy  was  close  by  in  large 
force,  but  on  the  road  leading  due  south  from  the  Hill 
place.  A  return  was  made  to  the  cross  roads,  where 
two  companies  of  the  llth  Wisconsin  were  left  as 
guard,  the  other  six  companies  with  the  small  field 
piece  turning  south  on  the  Des  Arc  road.  Advan 
cing  along  this  road  for  a  half  mile,  with  a  rail 
fence  on  the  left  enclosing  a  corn  field,  the  thick 
woods  were  reached.  ('apt.  Miller's  company  was 
in  advance,  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  had  not 
entered  the  woods  more  than  one  hundred  yards  when 
they  came  upon  the  enemy  in  strong  force  of  infantry 
and  cavalry.  This  force,  as  was  afterward  learned, 
from  reports  of  Gen.  Hindman,  C.  S.  A.,  was  not  less 
than  five  thousand,  chiefly  Texas  cavalry,  commanded 
by  Gen.  Rust.  The  Wisconsin  men  at  once  savagely 
opened  the  fight,  but  the  enemy  swarmed  upon  them 
from  everywhere  and  they  were  forced  slowly  back. 
The  little  field  piece  had  been  advanced  and  was  rip 
ping  cannister  into  the  advancing  columns.  Company 
A  now  gallantly  joined  their  Wisconsin  comrades,  and 
for  a  brief  time  few  more  stubborn  contests  have  taken 
place,  the  opposing  forces  being  only  a  few  rods  apart. 
Two  orderly  sergeants  and  two  corporals  of  the  Wiscon 
sin  boys  killed ;  Col.  Harris,  Capt.  Christie,  Lieut. 
Stone  and  thirty-three  of  the  llth  wounded ;  Capt. 
Potter  wounded,  hut  still  limping  about  with  a  gun 
for  a  crutch  ;  Sergt.  Fyffe  and  Corporal  Bigger  of  Co. 
A  wounded;  four  out  of  the  six  cannoneers  of  the  gun 
squad  were  wounded  at  the  same  time.  No  wonder  that 
our  small  force  gave  way  from  log  to  log  and  tree  to  tree. 

Just  at  this  time  occurred  the  most  thrilling  incident 
of  the  day.  The  little  cannon  had  been  abandoned, 
and  the  foe  was  almost  upon  it.  The  brave  driver  of 
the  gun  team,  although  wounded,  dashed  up  to  it  and 
hooked  it  to  the  caisson,  but  at  the  first  jump  of 
the  frightened  horses  it  became  unfastened, 
and  the  team  went  dashing  back  with  the  cais 
son  but  not  the  gun.  On  seeing  the  trouble  Capt.  Pot 
ter  called  out,  "Boys,  save  the  gun."  Hearing  the 
call  of  his  captain,  Orderly  Sergeant  Edward  A.  Pike, 
of  Company  A,  who  was  as  colossal  in  courage  as  he 
was  in  stature,  rushed  to  the  gun  when  the  enemy  was 
almost  near  enough  to  have  struck  him  with  their 
sabres,  seized  the  trail  and  tore  down  the  road  with  the 
cannon  as  if  it  had  been  a  baby  wagon.  Other  mem 
bers  of  the  company  coining  to  his  assistance,  the  gun 
was  saved.  For  this  brave  act  Sergt.  Pike  received  a 
medal  of  honor  from  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Another   incident   happened  a   little   later  which    is 


well  worth  relating.  In  one  of  their  onslaughts  a  Con 
federate  cavalryman  came  dashing  upon  Sergt.  Harvey 
J.  Dutton,  who  had  just  fired  his  musket.  There 
seemed  no  chance  for  Dutton  to  get  away,  nor  did  he 
try,  but  snatching  a  revolver  from  his  belt  brought  the 
flying  horseman  sprawling  to  the  ground.  It  was  not 
the  last  time  Dutton  showed  his  nerve  during  the  service. 

While  the  fray  was  going  on,  A.  P.  Anderson,  of 
Company  E,  came  to  me  writhing  in  pain,  and  with  a 
face  ghostly  white,  and  stated  that  he  had  been  shot 
through  the  body.  I  directed  him  to  go  to  the  rear  and 
find f the  Surgeon.  In  a  very  short  time  I  noticed  An 
derson  was  back  again  and  using  his  gun  in  the  busiest 
manner.  I  said  to  him,  "I  thought  you  had  gone 
back  to  die."  He  smilingly  pointed  to  a  deep  dent  in 
his  U.  S.  plate,  which  was  just  over  the  pit  of  his 
stomach. 

Our  troops  had  been  forced  back  to  the  corner  of  the 
field  where  most  of  the  33rd  had  taken  shelter  behind 
the  rail  fence,  and  the  others  were  in  the  heavy  timber 
across  the  road.  The  Confederates  came  charging 
again  and  again  along  the  road  that  led  back  to  the 
Hill  plantation,  but  were  received  with  such  a  fire 
from  the  fence  and  woods  that  their  rushes  were  al 
ways  stopped  at  this  point  with  heavy  loss  to  them, 
while  we  were  comparatively  safe.  About  this  time 
Col.  Hovey  joined  us  and  greatly  restored  the  confi 
dence  of  the  troops  by  his  presence,  and  the  informa 
tion  that  reinforcements  were  close  at  hand.  He  had 
a  chance  to  see  some  fighting  before  they  arrived  and 
received  a  spent  musket  ball  in  his  breast,  and  as  he 
coolly  extracted  it,  he  remarked  that  "the  rebellion  did 
not  seem  to  have  much  force  in  it." 

The  engagement  had  been  in  progress  some  two 
hours,  when  Lieut  Col.  Wood,  of  the  1st  Indiana  cav 
alry,  came  up  with  one  battalion  under  Major  Clen- 
denning  and  two  field  pieces.  The  ( Confederates  had 
withdrawn  to  their  original  position  in  the  heavy  tim 
ber.  The  two  gun  battery  was  advanced  and  opened 
fire,  supported  by  Clendenning's  squadron  and  the 
troops  that  had  been  in  the  battle.  Very  soon  Col. 
Wood  ordered  a  charge  of  the  cavalry,  which  they  made 
most  gallantly.  The  enemy  broke  and  retreated  across 
Cache  river. 

The  loss  in  this  charge  was  severe.  Capt.  W.  W. 
Sloane,  troop  E,  was  killed,  and  Major  Clendenning 
mortally  wounded.  Col.  Wood  was  also  wounded,  and 
there  were  many  other  casualties  in  the  squadron. 
The  supporting  forces  now  arrived,  but  the  day  was 
won,  and  grandly  won.  One  hundred  and  ten  of  the 
enemy  were  buried  on  the  field  ;  the  number  of  their 
wounded  was  never  known.  The  Federal  loss  in  this 
engagement  was  nine  killed  and  forty-seven  wounded. 
These  casualties  seem  very  small  as  compared  with  the 
Confederate  losses ;  but  the  simple  explanation  is,  that 
cavalry  has  no  chance  against  infantry  behind  fences  and 
in  heavy  timber.  When  it  is  considered  that  on  our  side 
there  were  less  than  four  hundred  active  participants  in 
the  fight,  and  that  certainly  one  hundred  and  ten  of  the 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


29 


enemy,  and  perhaps  many  more,  were  killed,  it  must  be 
conceded  that  this  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and 
hard  fought  battles  of  the  war,  yet  little  has  ever  been 
said  or  known  about  it.  No  doubt  the  reason  for  this 
was  that  we  were  cut  off'  from  all  communication  with 
the  North,  and  the  news  was  not  sent  out  until  some 
time  later,  and  the  further  reason  that  the  attention  of 
the  people  was  drawn  to  the  operations  of  the  great 
armies  in  other  portions  of  the  country. 

After  the  battle  the  enemy  was  promptly  followed 
some  five  miles  to  a  bridge,  crossing  Bayou  De  Vue, 
where  the  pursuit  ceased.  The  33rd  returned  and 
camped  for  the  night  near  the  battle  ground. 

July  8th  was  passed  in  crossing  Bayou  De  Vue,  and 
straightening  out  the  supply  trains.  An  advance  of 
eight  miles  was  made,  the  men  being  very  short  of  ra 
tions  and  suffering  greatly  for  water. 

July  9th  was  a  memorable  day  for  our  regiment,  it 
being  the  day  of  its  most  distressing  march  during  its 
service.  It  was  the  hottest  of  all  days  in  our  exper 
ience,  and  it  seemed  that  we  were  directly  under  the 
equator.  Osterhaus'  division  had  preceded  us,  raising 
dense  clouds  of  dust  in  the  lazy  air.  In  addition  to 
that  the  cavalry  were  passing  the  day  long,  enveloping 
us  in  a  fog  of  dust  through  which  we  were  scarcely  able 
to  recognize  each  other.  The  cavalry  were  damned 
with  greater  earnestness  than  they  were  prayed  for  two 
days  before.  There  was  little  in  the  haversacks  and 
nothing  in  the  canteens,  and  no  water  to  be  had  except 
from  an  occasional  swamp  where  the  water  was  covered 
several  inches  thick  with  a  green  and  nauseating  scum. 
Pushing  it  aside,  the  men  drank  eagerly  of  the  pesti 
lential  ditch  water.  Wells  were  few  and  far  between, 
some  of  them  had  been  filled  with  rails  by  the  enemy, 
all  of  them  had  been  scooped  dry  by  the  troops  in  ad 
vance  of  us.  Hundreds  of  soldiers  could  be  seen  around 
a  single  well,  claiming  a  share  of  the  muddy  stuff  that 
was  brought  up  in  an  old  bucket.  Many  fell  from  sun 
stroke,  and  the  roadside  was  lined  with  those  who 
could  not  go  a  step  further  in  the  intense  heat  and 
choking  dust.  Under  such  conditions  a  march  of  more 
than  thirty  miles  was  made  to  Clarendon,  which  was 
reached  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  10th.  No 
camp  was  made  that  night,  the  men  dropping  down 
where  they  happened  to  be  to  sleep  in  utter  exhaus 
tion.  On  the  morning  of  the  llth  the  men  were 
awakened  by  finding  themselves  frying  in  the  hot  sun, 


and  it  was  not  long  until  the  whole  regiment  was 
bathing  in  White  river. 

We  were  now  given  the  unwelcome  information  that 
the  supply  boats  that  were  expected  at  this  place,  fail 
ing  to  hear  from  us,  had  dropped  down  the  river  the 
day  before.  The  situation  was  that  we  were  practically 
without  supplies,  and  none  were  to  be  had  nearer  than 
Helena,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  sixty  miles  distant. 
Consequently  we  started  for  that  place  at  noon  on  the 
llth,  and  made  fifteen  miles  by  nine  p.  in.,  most  of 
the  way  in  the  rain,  which  was  an  agreeable  change. 
When  we  were  halted  for  a  brief  rest,  Capt.  N.  G.  Gill, 
of  Company  B,  who  had  cast  aside  his  worn-out  shoes, 
was  ruefully  contemplating  his  bare  feet,  bare  except 
for  mud,  when  one  of  the  company,  who  had  evidently 
been  raised  on  a  farm,  said  to  him,  "Never  mind,  Cap 
tain,  they  will  scour  after  awhile''.  Our  train  did  not 
reach  us  on  this  night,  nor  did  it  reach  us  until  we 
had  been  a  day  in  Helena,  it  having  taken  another 
road.  Next  day  a  march  of  twenty-one  miles  was 
made  with  little  food,  Osterhaus'  German  troops  hav 
ing  swept  the  country  bare.  The  only  water  to  be  bad 
during  the  whole  day  was  from  one  scum-covered 
swamp. 

By  making  a  march  of  twenty-five  miles  on  Sunday, 
July  13th,  Helena  was  reached,  and  a  most  forlorn  pro 
cession  we  made.  In  some  companies  there  were  not 
men  enough  present  to  make  a  gun  stack.  Three- 
fourths  of  the  command  were  lying  sick  and  exhausted 
along  the  roadside  for  thirty  miles  in  the  rear.  It  re 
quired  days  for  them  all  to  come  up,  many  having  to 
be  brought  in  wagons  sent  for  them. 

At  last  we  were  out  of  the  swamps  and  canebrakes, 
where  for  many  weeks  we  had  been  lost  sight  of,  and, 
as  it  seemed  to  us  then,  almost  in  sight  of  home.  No 
event  of  the  Civil  War  has  been  more  celebrated  in  song 
and  story  than  Sherman's  march  from  "Atlanta  to  the 
Sea".  The  march  of  the  Army  of  the  Southwest  from 
Batesville  to  Helena  does  not  compare  with  it  in  the 
distance  travelled  and  results  obtained,  but  for  difficult 
marches  and  downright  hardships,  Sherman's  march 
was  a  mere  play  day  and  picnic  as  compared  with  it. 
It  is  also  within  the  truth  to  say  that  the  small  force  at 
the  battle  of  Cache  river,  July  7,  IKfJi',  killed  and  bur 
ied  quite  half  as  many  of  the  enemy  as  Sherman's 
whole  army  did  in  the  entire  trip  from  Atlanta  to 
Goldsboro. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
FROM  HELENA,  ARK.,  BACK  TO  PILOT  KNOB,  MO. 


As  to  the  service  of  the  33rd  Illinois  for  the  next 
three  months,  I  hesitate  to  speak.  During  that  time 
there  was  scarcely  a  day  when  a  detachment  of  the 
regiment  was  not  sent  on  expeditions,  on  one  side  of 


the  river  or  on  the  other;  sometimes  at  a  distance  of  a 
hundred  miles  or  more  below  Helena  to  collect  baled 
cotton  and  load  it  on  steamboats,  and  in  nearly  every 
one  of  these  forays  a  scrimmage  was  had  at  some  cotton 


30 


GENERAL  HIS  TOR  Y. 


gin  or  pile  of  cotton  bales,  the  regiment  losing  from 
time  to  time  a  number  killed  and  wounded,  to  say 
nothing  of  being  continually  shot  at  while  passing  up 
and  down  the  river  in  boats. 

Every  member  of  the  33rd  will  remember  the  many 
times  we  loaded  the  City  of  Alton,  laton,  Alhambra, 
Ella,  Laclede,  and  other  boats  of  large  tonnage  to  the 
guards  with  cotton,  frequently  under  the  escort  and 
protection  of  the  celebrated  ram,  Queen  of  the  West, 
which  some  time  after  met  an  unhappy  fate  up  Red 
river. 

After  we  had  been  at  Helena  two  weeks  we  were 
moved  on  July  26th  twenty  miles  below,  and  camped 
at  "Old  Town  Landing,"  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
river,  the  most  pestilential  camp  we  ever  occupied, 
and  where  the  men  of  the  regiment  sickened  and  died  by 
the  score.  There  was  no  reason  that  we  should  be  sent 
to  that  deadly  place,  except  that  we  would  be  some 
what  nearer  the  cotton  area.  How  much  of  this  "cot 
ton  collecting"  was  done  for  the  government  and  how 
much  for  private  interests,  I  do  not  know,  but  from 
the  fact  that  serious  trouble  on  account  of  it  came  to  a 
number  of  officers  in  high  command,  justifies  the 
opinion  that  we  were  not  doing  very  much  at  that  time 
toward  saving  the  country  in  this  hard  and  dangerous 
service,  and  I  know  that  I  but  reflect  the  feeling  of 
every  comrade  when  I  say  that  every  life  that  was  lost 
in  those  expeditions  was  a  useless  and  wanton  sacrifice. 

On  Sunday,  July  27th,  we  were  in  camp  at  Old 
Town,  a  "town"  without  a  building  of  any  kind  or 
character.  It  was  simply  a  situation  between  the  river 
and  a  fever-breeding  swamp.  1  have  always  thought 
of  this  place  as  being  very  like  the  Eden  of  "Martin 
Cbuzzlewit". 

On  Monday,  July  28th,  the  reason  of  our  move  to  this 
detestable  place  was  developed,  fifty  men  of  Company 
C,  with  teams,  being  sent  on  the  Laclede  after  cotton. 
They  returned  with  110  bales,  which,  with  the  price  of 
cotton  at  that  time,  were  worth  about  &oO,000.  Quite  a 
remunerative  day's  work  to  start  with,  and  had  the 
government  received  it,  it  would  have  paid  our  salar 
ies  for  four  months.  Next  day  Co.  A  was  sent  on  a 
similar  expedition  on  the  Ella.  On  the  31st  four  com 
panies  of  the  llth  Wisconsin  on  the  Ella,  and  Compan 
ies  C,  D,  I  and  K  of  the  33rd  on  the  Laclede,  crossed 
the  river  and  went  three  miles  into  the  country  to 
Winbush's  plantation,  leaving  a  guard  at  the  levee, 
and  sending  the  boats  back  up  the  river.  Next  day  a 
skirmish  was  had,  two  men  of  the  llth  and  one  of 
Company  C  being  wounded  The  expedition  returned 
to  the  river  next  day  with  200  bales  of  cotton. 

Monday,  August  4th,  Co.  A  was  again  sent  to  the 
Mississippi  side,  and  while  loading  cotton  into  wagons 
were  fired  upon.  Alvin  T.  Lewis  was  killed,  J.  W. 
Straight  lost  an  arm,  and  Bovee,  Montgomery  and  Far- 
well  were  made  prisoners.  The  last-named  three  were 
paroled  and  returned  to  the  company  next  day,  Bovee 
and  Montgomery  both  badly  wounded.  At  daybreak 
on  August  6th,  five  companies  of  the  llth  Wis.  and 


four  of  the  33rd  were  embarked  on  the  steamer  Cata- 
houla,  and  attended  by  the  gunboats  Benton  and  Car- 
ondelet,  two  rams,  two  transports  and  a  tug,  went  to 
Robinson's  Landing  in  Mississippi.  The  troops  and 
wagons  were  sent  six  miles  into  the  interior  through 
the  dense  canebrakes.  It  was  a  hard  day,  it  being  the 
hottest  day  of  the  hottest  season  in  that  hot  climate. 
Eight  men  of  the  33rd  were  prostrated  by  the  heat  and 
had  to  be  hauled  to  the  landing  in  carts.  But  little 
cotton  was  "collected"  on  this  trip. 

August  llth  another  expedition  on  the  laton  and 
Ella,  accompanied  by  the  ram  Monarch,  went  to  the 
mouth  of  White  river,  and  secured  37  bales  of  cotton. 
The  laton  became  disabled  in  the  night  and  was  taken 
in  tow  by  the  Monarch. 

On  the  14th  Companies  A,  C  and  D  were  sent  out. 
Col.  Hovey  took  a  scout  with  Co.  K  and  found  130 
bales  of  cotton  hidden  in  a  canebrake,  which  was 
brought  in  ;  one  man  died  from  the  effect  of  the  in 
tense  heat.  August  17th  Companies  B,  C,  E  and  K 
went  to  Napoleon,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas  river, 
stopping  on  the  way  to  "collect"  six  bales  of  cotton. 
Company  E  was  sent  ashore  at  Napoleon  to  hunt  for 
more,  but  found  none.  We  anchored  for  the  night 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas.  In  the  morning  a 
number  of  shots  were  exchanged  between  the  boat  and 
shore,  without  damage.  Near  the  mouth  of  White 
river  Companies  B  and  K  were  sent  ashore  to  explore  a 
road.  The  boat  tied  up  that  night  at  Island  60,  and 
returned  us  to  camp  next  day. 

For  the  next  four  weeks  expeditions  similar  to  those 
already  described  were  sent  out  from  time  to  time. 
They  all  experienced  the  usual  bushwhacking  and  dis 
tress  from  heat. 

On  Sept.  19th  a  detachment  of  the  regiment  was  sent 
down  the  river  on  two  transports,  accompanied  by  the 
ram  Queen  of  the  West.  In  the  night,  while  anchored 
below  Prentiss,  a  negro  came  alongside  in  a  small 
skiff  and  gave  the  information  that  the  rebels  had 
placed  a  battery  above  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  to 
attack  the  boats  on  their  return.  Heeding  this  timely 
warning,  the  two  transports  were  lashed  to  the  side  of 
the  Queen  of  the  West,  opposite  to  that  from  which 
the  attack  was  expected,  and  in  this  formation  pro 
ceeded  up  the  river.  Next  morning,  when  the  place 
the  negro  had  indicated  was  reached  a  battery  of  two 
guns  and  a  line  of  infantry  opened  fire  on  the  boats, 
which  was  vigorously  replied  to  by  the  ram  and  the 
troops  on  the  boats.  The  boats  passed  by,  but  with  a 
loss  to  us  of  seven  killed  and  many  wounded.  There 
is  no  doubt  but  that  the  warning  of  our  colored  friend 
saved  the  transports.  There  was  no  cotton  "collected" 
on  this  expedition. 

Sept.  26th  a  considerable  force  of  infantry  and  caval 
ry,  with  two  howitzers,  all  under  command  of  Col. 
Lippincott,  crossed  the  river  and  moved  into  the  coun 
try  about  fifteen  miles,  where  three  hundred  bales  of 
cotton  were  discovered.  It  required  sixty  wagons  to 
move  the  cotton,  and  it  was  not  loaded  until  well  into 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


31 


the  night.  On  the  return  next  day  the  escort  was  at 
tacked  and  Sergt.  Mason  of  Co.  D  was  killed  and  four 
others  of  that  company  wounded.  Capt.  Potter,  who 
had  just  returned  from  the  North,  where  he  had  been 
sent  to  recover  from  wounds  received  at  Cache  river, 
was  again  severely  wounded  in  this  skirmish.  But 
what  matter!— the  300  hales  of  cotton  were  brought  in. 

This  ended  our  "cotton  campaign".  A  great  many 
of  the  33rd  had  died  at  Old  Town  camp,  a  large  num 
ber  had  been  sent  to  Northern  hospitals,  and  the  regi 
ment  was  well  nigh  worn  out  with  its  hard  and  con 
tinuous  service  in  those  scorching  August  and  Septem 
ber  days.  From  the  time  we  left  Batesville,  June  22nd, 
to  October  1st,  with  the  exception  of  about  ten  days 
at  Helena,  the  regiment,  or  portions  of  it,  were  almost 
constantly  marching,  scouting  and  skirmishing  in  the 
canebrakes  and  reeking  swamps  of  Arkansas  and  Mis 
sissippi,  and  it  was  with  a  delight  that  had  no  bounds 
that  we  received  the  order  to  board  the  transport  Des- 
Moines,  October  oth,  to  be  taken  North. 

We  reached  Memphis  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  and 
moved  on  up  the  river  in  the  afternoon.  On  Thursday 


morning  at  9  o'clock  we  were  in  sight  of  Cairo.  Cheer 
upon  cheer  was  given  for  "God's  Country",  and  the 
state  that  held  our  homes.  Left  Cairo  in  the  afternoon 
and  debarked  at  Sulphur  Springs,  a  short  distance  be 
low  St.  Louis,  on  the  morning  of  the  llth.  Here  we 
experienced  a  decided  change  in  the  climate,  it  being 
very  cold,  and  our  opinion  of  the  temperature  we  had 
left  down  the  river  was  considerably  modified. 

In  the  forenoon  of  Monday,  the  13th,  we  went  by 
train  to  Pilot  Knob.  In  passing  Black  River  bridge 
and  Blackwell's  Station,  Companies  E  and  K  were  re 
minded  of  the  lively  times  at  those  places  just  one 
year  before,  lacking  two  days.  Arrived  at  Arcadia 
late  in  the  evening  and  went  into  the  camp  which  we 
had  left  on  the  1st  of  March  previous. 

The  regiment  remained  in  camp  at  Arcadia  until 
Nov.  2nd,  doing  nothing  worth  the  telling,  except  that 
we  began  in  those  cold  October  days  the  process  of 
freezing  out  the  malaria  with  which  we  had  become 
saturated  during  the  summer.  A  large  portion  of  the 
officers  and  men  were  given  furloughs  to  visit  their 
homes. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
A  WINTER  CAMPAIGN. 


Nov.  2nd  our  old  brigade,  the  33rd  Illinois,  llth  Wis., 
8th  and  18th  Indiana  and  some  cavalry,  with  Gen.  W. 
P.  Benton  in  command,  started  south  again  on  a 
winter  campaign,  that  was  remarkable  only  for  its  use- 
lessness  and  the  severe  hardships  of  those  engaged  in 
it.  There  was  a  considerable  body  of  other  troops  in  the 
expedition,  but  I  am  unable  to  name  the  organizations. 
The  whole  was  in  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  J.  W.  Dav 
idson.  Where  he  came  from  or  what  became  of  him 
after  this  campaign,  I  do  not  know,  nor  do  I  care. 
For  any  results  that  came  from  the  campaign,  we 
might  far  better  have  been  disbanded  and  sent  home 
on  furlough,  and  were  it  not  that  I  wish  to  keep  track 
of  the  regiment  from  day  to  day,  I  would  not  deem  it 
worth  mentioning.  No  one  then  knew  of  the  object 
of  the  expedition,  and  if  it  had  a  purpose,  certainly  no 
one  has  since  discovered  it.  It  was  a  wearisome  march 
of  three  months  and  twenty  days,  through  a  broken 
and  sparsely  settled  country,  where  there  was  not  a 
place  of  importance  to  be  secured,  or  an  enemy  in  any 
force  within  200  miles.  Of  the  110  days  in  making 
the  trip  to  West  Plains  and  return,  it  rained  on  thirty- 
four  and  snow  fell  on  nine,  and  all  the  others  were  ex 
tremely  cold.  We  were  frequently  on  short  rations, 
and  sometimes  down  to  parched  corn.  The  roads  were 
such  as  could  only  be  provided  in  the  "black  jack" 
openings  of  South  Missouri.  The  trains  were  in  mud 
to  the  hub  three-quarters  of  the  time,  and  the  profanity 


of  the  troops  was  appropriate  if  not  excusable.  Our 
camps  were  called  "Valley  Forge",  and  when  trudging 
almost  barefoot  through  the  snow  it  was  "retreat  from 
Moscow",  and,  worst  of  all,  the  troops  were  exasper 
ated  to  the  last  degree  by  the  whipper-snapper  little 
General  in  command  of  the  expedition,  who  ordered 
frequent  roll  calls,  drills,  inspections  and  reviews,  and 
kept  half  the  force  on  picket  duty  when  there  was  not 
any  enemy  more  formidable  than  a  bushwhacker  within 
a  hundred  miles.  Gen.  Grant  has  stated  that  some 
commanders  can  get  the  maximum  work  out  of  troops 
without  fatiguing  them,  while  others  will  wear  them 
out  in  a  few  days  without  accomplishing  anything. 
Gen.  Davidson  belonged  to  the  latter  class. 

We  began  this  experience  by  marching  twelve  miles 
on  Sunday,  Nov.  2nd.  Next  day  made  fifteen  miles 
over  much  of  the  same  road  we  had  travelled  in  the 
spring,  and  the  day  after  went  into  camp  near  Patter 
son,  in  the  forenoon.  On  the  5th  it  rained  and  hailed. 
On  the  6th  quite  an  unusual  condition  existed  in  the 
regiment.  Capt.  Roberts,  oth  in  rank,  was  in  com 
mand,  and  there  was  but  one  other  Captain  present, 
and  but  three  First  Lieutenants— Lyon,  Lewis  and 
Russell.  All  the  Second  Lieutenants  were  absent  but 
Williams,  Elbert,  Kenney  and  Pratt.  Companies  A, 
B  and  K  were  commanded  by  sergeants.  All  the  field 
officers  and  the  general  commanding  the  brigade  were 
away  on  leave  of  absence. 


32 


GENERAL  HISTOR  Y. 


The  regiment  remained  at  Patterson  until  the  24th, 
engaged  in  drilling,  inspection  and  reviews.  On  this 
date  we  moved  out  ten  miles,  and  camped  on  left  hank 
of  Black  river.  Several  wild  turkeys  were  shot  by  the 
soldiers,  and  some  of  them  had  turkey  for  Thanksgiv 
ing  dinner  next  day.  Company  C  was  sent  back  to 
Patterson  on  the  26th  to  repair  roads.  From  Nov.  26th 
to  December  14th,  inclusive,  the  regiment  was  at  Black 
river.  The  camp  was  quite  near  the  river  and  upon 
ground  somewhat  elevated,  but  with  a  depression  run 
ning  along  the  base  of  the  hills  a  few  hundred  yards 
away.  It  had  rained  on  the  12th  and  13th,  and  very 
hard  all  day  on  the  14th,  and  at  night  on  that  day  the 
river  was  bank  full  and  still  rising,  but  it  was  thought 
that  the  camp,  being  on  high  ground,  was  in  no  dan 
ger  of  being  flooded. 

At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  loth  the 
whole  regiment  was  suddenly  roused  by  the  water 
sweeping  through  the  camp,  flooding  tents  and  carry 
ing  away  everything  that  was  loose.  There  had  been  a 
heavy  rain  during  the  night  in  the  hills  above,  and 
the  river  had  quickly  risen  many  feet,  and  the  water 
was  rushing  by,  carrying  logs  and  trees,  and  with  a 
roaring  and  crashing  that  in  the  darkness  wasappalling. 
Everyone  snatched  up  whatever  he  could  get  his 
hands  on,  gun  and  equipments  being  the  first  care,  and 
started  for  the  hills,  only  to  find  the  depression  before 
spoken  of,  running  like  a  mill  race.  But  it  must  be 
crossed,  and  cross  it  the  soldiers  did,  wading  to  the 
arm  pits  through  the  ice  cold  water  and  holding  guns 
and  clothing  above  their  heads.  The  men  were  soon 
on  the  hill  slope,  safe  from  drowning,  but  not  from 
free/ing.  This  would  have  been  something  of  an  ad 
venture  in  daylight,  but  in  the  darkness,  with  the 
roaring  river,  and  the  shouts  and  yells  that  could  be 
heard  on  all  sides,  gave  it  the  character  of  a  first-class 
bedlam.  It  was  a  bitter  experience  standing  on  those 
hills  until  daylight,  wet,  half  naked  and  freezing.  By 
morning  the  water  began  to  subside,  the  teams  were 
rescued,  and  many  of  the  men  taken  from  trees  where 
they  had  sought  safety,  by  floats  made  from  pontoons, 
and  by  night  we  were  back  in  camp  again,  where  we 
stayed  until  the  21st  without  anything  of  importance 
taking  place,  except  that  Gen.  Ben  ton  found  a  widow, 
a  Mrs.  Pettit,  somewhere  in  the  woods  and  married  her 
offhand  after  some  ten  days'  courtship— the  most  cour 
ageous  thing  we  ever  knew  him  to  do. 

On  Dec.  21st,  at  nine  o'clock,  we  crossed  Black  river 
on  a  pontoon  bridge.  The  roads  were  as  bad  as  possi 
ble  from  the  recent  floods ;  we  crossed  creek  after  creek 
by  wading  or  on  logs,  and  after  a  tramp  of  ten  miles 
camped  in  a  beautiful  pine  grove.  Our  trains  did  not 
arrive,  being  stuck  in  the  mud,  and  the  men  lay  about 
the  fires  of  pine  logs  all  the  night.  In  the  morning 
every  face  was  so  black  that  anyone  could  have  deserted 
without  the  slightest  danger  of  being  recognized.  The 
teams  began  to  arrive  shortly  after  sunrise,  but  we  did 
not  move  on  this  day  in  order  to  give  the  mules  a  rest. 

Without  the  shadow  of  u  reason  for  being  in  a  hurry 


we  were  started  long  before  daylight  the  next  morning 
and  marched  ten  miles  to  Current  river,  which  was 
reached  before  noon.  On  the  24th  a  forage  train  was 
reported  as  attacked  by  a  squad  of  guerrillas.  This 
made  Gen.  Davidson  absolutely  frantic;  pickets  and 
guards  were  doubled,  and  a  force  was  sent  out  which 
scoured  the  surrounding  country,  but  no  enemy  was 
found.  On  this  day  Compay  A  was  sent  back  as 
guard  for  supply  train. 

Nothing  occurred  on  Christmas  day  except  a  sere 
nade  to  Gen.  Benton  in  celebration  of  his  wedding. 
Rather  a  unique  bridal  tour  he  was  having.  Col.  Lip- 
pincott  held  an  inspection  of  arms  and  ammunition  on 
the  26th.  It  rained  on  the  27th,  which  prevented 
another  review.  During  the  28th,  29th  and  80th  there 
was  but  one  inspection  and  one  review.  On  the  31st 
there  was  a  general  inspection  of  the  division  b>  Gen. 
Benton.  It  will  be  remembered  that  it  was  raining 
most  of  these  day,  and  when  it  was  not  raining  it  was 
snowing.  The  harder  it  rained  and  snowed  the  more 
we  were  inspected  and  reviewed. 

Should  anyone  think  these  statements  are  overdrawn, 
I  will  say  that  I  have  several  diaries  before  me  which 
were  kept  by  reliable  and  conscientious  members  of  the 
regiment,  from  which  these  facts  are  taken,  and 
which  confirm  my  own  distinct  recollection  of  the  ri 
diculous  features  of  that  unspeakable  expedition. 

The  New  Year  of  18(53  opened  very  cold  and  contin 
ued  so  for  two  days,  changing  to  rain  on  the  3rd. 

On  Sunday,  the  4th,  there  was  preaching  by  the 
Chaplain.  It  was  timely,  as  the  last  few  weeks  had 
given  evidence  that  there  were  still  some  in  the  33rd 
who  were  unconverted.  There  were  not  chaplains 
enough  in  the  whole  army  to  keep  up  the  moral  tone  of 
a  single  regiment  in  a  campaign  such  as  this.  At  this 
time  more  than  half  the  regiment  was  constantly  on 
picket  and  guard  duty  in  the  severe  weather,  and,  in 
addition,  large  fatigue  and  forage  parties  were  con 
stantly  called  for,  all  of  which  made  the  life  of  the 
soldiers  a  burden. 

On  the  6th,  after  our  tents  were  well  pitched,  drained 
and  stockaded,  and  some  of  them  with  fire  places  built 
in  them,  our  camp  was  ordered  moved  to  the  top  of  a 
high  bluff  where  the  wind  would  have  a  better  chance 
at  us,  and  where  it  was  difficult  to  bring  water.  We 
remained  on  this  breezy  elevation  until  the  12th,  when 
we  were  moved  across  the  river  and  camped  half  a  mile 
from  it.  On  the  13th  it  rained  all  day  and  no  move 
was  made.  At  nine  o'clock  next  morning  we  struck 
tents  in  a  pouring  rain  and  moved  southwest.  During 
the  day  there  was  rain,  hail  and  snow.  The  roads  were 
bad  beyond  description,  and  there  was  not  a  wagon  in 
the  brigade  train  that  was  not  stuck  in  the  mud. 
Only  eight  miles  were  made  on  this  day,  the  teams 
straggling  in  one  by  one  late  at  night,  while  the  wagon 
of  Co.  C  did  not  arrive  at  all,  and  that  company  passed 
the  night  in  the  snow  without  tents. 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th  the  snow  was  three 
inches  deep,  and  by  night  six  inches.  There  was  no 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


33 


move  on  this  day.  The  morning  of  the  16th  was  bit 
terly  cold  and  the  regiment  got  under  way  at  nine 
o'clock  a.  m.  and  marched  seven  miles  by  half -past 
two.  Camp  was  made  by  scraping  away  the  snow, 
pitching  the  tents,  then  filling  them  with  pine  boughs, 
on  which  blankets  were  spreari,  making  them  in  a  de 
gree  comfortable.  The  next  day  it  was  colder  than 
ever  and  some  ten  miles  were  covered  over  hard,  frozen 
roads.  It  seemed  that  we  were  to  experience  the  very 
extremes  of  climate,  for  just  six  months  before  we 
were  losing  men  by  sunstroke. 

On  the  18th,  an  advance  of  ten  miles  was  made  over 
a  very  rough  country.  Eleven  Points  river  was 
crossed  by  running  wagons  into  the  stream,  plunks 
were  placed  across  them  and  in  this  way  the  troops 
passed  over.  One  man  fell  into  the  stream  and  was 
drowned.  After  going  three  miles  next  day  we  came 
to  a  very  steep  hill,  up  which  the  te.un-s  were  helped 
with  grent  difficulty.  On  reaching  the  top  the  "black 
jack"  openings  were  encountered.  They  were  a  veri 
table  mortar  bed,  through  which  the  wagons  were 
dragged  with  the  boxes  almost  touching  the  ground. 
Our  teamsters  said  it  was  tin-  worst  road  they  had  ever 
seen.  A  march  of  eight  miles  brought  us  to  a  little 
hamlet  called  Alton,  the  county  seat  of  Oregon  county, 
Mo.  At  this  time  we  were  entirely  out  of  rations,  and 
a  number  of  the  companies  had  been  practically  so 
for  three  days.  Remained  at  Alton  for  two  days  and 
on  the  22nd  moved  back  ten  miles  as  guard  for  a  supply 
train  ;  repeated  the  distance  next  day  and  went  into 
camp  again  at  "Eleven  Points''  ;  marched  another  ten 
miles  the  day  after  and  stayed  in  camp  all  day  of  Sun 
day,  the  2.5th,  as  it  was  raining  furiously.  It  continued 
to  rain  all  next  day.  However,  six  companies  of  the 
33rd  marched  at  noon  to  protect  (?)  a  train.  On  the 
27th  the  rain  changed  to  a  snow  storm,  through  which 
the  regiment  marched  fifteen  miles.  The  following  day 
the  ground  was  fro/en  quite  hard,  and  we  moved  in 
rear  of  a  train  twelve  miles  to  Thomasville.  The  shoes 
of  many  of  the  men  were  now  worn  out,  and  they 
travelled  with  their  feet  wrapped  in  cloths  and  pieces 
of  blanket. 

The  six  companies  of  the  33rd  moved  at  seven  a.  m. 
in  advance  of  a  supply  train  of  200  wagons.  We  made 
twelve  miles  this  day,  and  on  the  next  made  a  leisurely 
march  to  West  Plains,  where  we  were  joined  by  the 
forces  that  had  come  through  from  Hartsville  with 
Gen.  Fit/  Henry  Warren.  On  this  date  the  !H»th  Illi 
nois,  Col.  Bailey,  was  placed  in  our  brigade.  Wre  were 
closely  associated  with  this  excellent  regiment  almost 
to  the  close  of  the  war,  and  always  found  it  stanch 
and  reliable  in  every  emergency.  There  will  be  fre 
quent  occasion  to  mention  this  regiment  in  the  pages 
which  are  to  follow. 

On  the  31st  of  January  we  had  an  issue  of  five  days' 
half  rations.  We  were  now,  as  we  had  been  all  along, 
in  a  sparsely  settled  and  impoverished  country,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  miles  from  any  railroad  or 
river  communication,  and  the  hauling  of  supplies 


from  Pilot  Knob  over  the  bottomless  roads  was  impossi 
ble.  Fortunately,  our  sutler  had  arrived  with  the  supply 
train,  and  a  few  necessaries  could  be  bought,  among 
them,  boots  at  $9.00  per  pair. 

Feb.  1st  was  very  cold  and  windy.  Notwithstand 
ing,  the  whole  force  was  ordered  out  for  division  drill 
by  Gen.  Davidson,  he  directing  the  maneuvers.  Some 
"firing  by  battalion"  was  attempted,  in  which  the 
33rd  made  a  very  sorry  showing.  It  was  a  great 
scheme  to  haul  ammunition  150  miles  through  the  mud 
to  fire  into  the  brush  ;  however,  there  was  nothing  else 
to  shoot  at.  On  Feb.  2nd  companies  G,  H,  I  and  K, 
that  had  been  with  a  supply  train,  arrived  in  camp. 
Feb.  3rd  was  very  cold,  and  on  the  4th  snow  fell  all 
day.  Strange  to  relate,  we  had  no  drills,  inspections  or 
reviews  on  those  days.  On  the  7th  the  regiment  re 
ceived  four  months'  pay,  a  most  desirable  place  for  the 
event,  as  there  were  few  attractions  to  spend  money 
upon.  On  Sunday,  Feb.  8th,  st.irted  at  eight  a.  m.  on 
the  return  trip  to  Pilot  Knob,  miking  a  most  difficult 
march  of  21  miles  through  a  "black  jack"  country. 
There  was  not  a  house  to  be  seen  on  this  march  ;  the 
roads  were  as  bad  as  usual,  and  many  of  the  men  fell 
exhausted  by  the  roadside.  Camp  was  not  made  until 
after  dark,  when  relief  parties  were  sent  with  ambu 
lances  after  the  missing  men.  Some  of  them  did  not 
return  until  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Started 
next  day  at  8:00  a.  m.,  and  after  marching  six  miles 
found  the  supply  train  stuck  in  the  mud  and  went  into 
camp  to  help  it  out. 

Before  leaving  camp  on  the  10th  the  officers  were  all 
assembled  and  enjoined  to  use  every  effort  to  prevent 
desertions— there  had  been  no  desertions  in  the  33rd— as 
the  death  penalty  would  certainly  be  inflicted.  There 
had  been  many  desertions  in  other  commands,  and 
owing  to  the  hard  and  harassing  service  the  men  had 
been  called  upon  to  perform,  muttering*  of  discontent 
were  heard  on  all  sides,  but  this  feeling  did  not  prevail 
to  any  extent  in  our  regiment.  On  the  contrary,  as  they 
trudged  through  the  snow,  almost  barefoot,  the  thrilling 
call  of  Thomas  Paine  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution 
would  often  be  heard:  "These  are  the  times  that  try 
men's  souls.  The  summer  soldier  and  the  sunshine 
patriot  will,  in  this  crisis,  shrink  from  the  service  of 
his  country;  but  he  that  stands  it  now  deserves  the 
thanks  of  men  and  the  love  of  women." 

We  were  very  much  hindered  by  supply  trains, 
which  had  little  or  nothing  in  them,  but  made  a  inarch 
of  fifteen  miles  to  Jack's  Fork,  on  Current  river.  Did 
not  leave  camp  on  the  llth,  waiting  for  supply  trains, 
the  men  getting  nothing  to  eat  until  noon.  Heavy  rain 
on  the  12th  and  still  waiting  for  trains  to  cross  the 
river.  On  the  13th  marched  twelve  miles,  many  of 
the  mules  dying  along  the  road  from  exhaustion.  Feb. 
14th  moved  twelve  miles  over  pine-covered  hills  and 
camped  in  a  valley.  No  -valentines  were  received  by 
the  soldiers  of  the  33rd. 

Marched  at  9  a.  m.  on  Sunday,  the  loth,  and  went 
twelve  miles.  On  this  day  a  supposed  guerrilla  was 


5 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


captured,  by  Gen.  Benton's  body  guard  and  .shot  dead 
by  the  road  side.  This  guerrilla,  if  he  was  such,  was 
entirely  alone,  and  was  shot  within  hvlf  a  mile  of  his 
own  house,  and  his  wife  and  ten-year-old  son  came  for 
his  body  in  an  ox  cart.  Some  soldiers  of  the  33rd  as 
sisted  in  placing  the  body  in  the  cart,  and  one  of  them 
drove  the  oxen  to  the  little  cabin  which  was  their 
home.  Those  who  saw  that  poor  distracted  woman 
bending  over  the  body  of  her  husband  as  the  creaking 
cart  moved  slowly  down  the  road,  will  remember  it  as 
a  most  pattietic  and  pitiful  sight.  I  do  not  think 
there  was  another  casualty  in  this  campaign. 

We  came  to  Current  river  next  day  and  crossed  on  a 
bridge  of  wagons  and  passed  through  the  to  wn  of 
Eminence,  which  consisted  of  a  log  court  house  and 
jail  in  the  woods.  This  town  was  evidently  not  named 
for  what  it  then  was,  but  for  what  it  expected  to  be. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  the  men  carried  the  tents 
and  a  large  portion  of  the  baggage  up  a  steep  hill,  then 
each  company  assisted  its  own  team  up  the  cliff,  where 
the  wagons  were  reloaded.  A  rapid  march  of  13  miles 
was  made,  crossing  the  same  stream  six  times.  There 
seemed  to  be  no  way  to  cross  that  stream  permanently. 
Next  day  marched  20  miles  to  Centerville,  crossing  a 
branch  of  Black  river  on  logs.  Owing  to  bad  roads, 


four  of  our  teams  did  not  arrive  that  night.  We  ad 
vanced  ten  miles  on  the  19th.  On  this  march  the  worn- 
out  mules  were  continually  dropping  down,  and  ox 
teams  were  substituted  whenever  they  could  be  picked 
up.  At  one  time  there  were  seven  yoke  of  oxen  in  the 
train  of  the  33rd.  On  Feb.  20th  we  marched  twenty 
miles  and  camped  in  Helleview  Valley  within  a  few 
miles  of  Pilot  Knob.  We  were  just  in  time,  for  snow 
fell  heavily  for  the  next  two  days. 

In  all  that  I  have  read  concerning  the  Civil  War,  I 
have  never  seen  this  expedition  mentioned  or  even  al 
luded  to.  It  seems  singular  that  a  campaign  of  ten 
thousand  troops  for  more  than  three  months  should  be 
lost  sight  of.  but  the  reason,  no  doubt,  is  that  they  did 
absolutely  nothing  worth  telling.  It  is  my  intention 
in  these  page)?  to  abstain  almost  entirely  from  criti 
cism  of  officers  and  campaigns,  but  I  am  of  the  opin 
ion,  remembering  the  hardships  of  that  campaign,  that 
I  could  say  no  less  than  I  have,  and  that  the  state 
ments  made  in  the  beginning  of  this  chapter  arc  more 
than  justified,  and  I  am  confident  that  I  will  be  cor 
dially  endorsed  by  the  soldiers  who  made  that  long 
winter  journey,  when  I  say  that  this  expedition  was 
conceived  in  stupidity  and  commanded  by  a  military 
lunatic. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN. 


Our  stay  at  Pilot  Knob  and  vicinity  from  Feb.  21st 
to  March  10th,  1863,  was  not  marked  by  any  notable 
service  or  incident,  save,  perhaps,  the  mass  meeting  of 
the  33rd  and  99th  Illinois,  on  March  2nd.  It  was  of  a 
non-partisan  character,  and  was  called  for  the  purpose 
of  making  known  to  the  citizens  of  our  state  the  feel 
ing  of  Illinois  soldiers  in  the  field  in  regard  to  the  re 
cent  action  of  the  Illinois  legislature  in  giving  sympa 
thy  and  encouragement  to  those  in  arms  against  the 
government.  Speeches  were  made  by  both  officers  and 
privates,  Democrats  and  Republicans,  of  the  most  pat 
riotic  character,  the  speeches  of  the  privates  being  con 
siderably  better  than  those  of  the  officers.  The  senti 
ments  of  the  meeting  were  embodied  in  resolutions 
which  were  printed  in  the  prominent  papers  of  the 
state.  Should  these  lines  be  seen  by  any  of  his  descend 
ants,  it  may  be  a  pleasure  for  them  to  learn  that  on 
this  occasion  the  soldiers  of  the  33rd  and  00th  Illinois 
gave  three  cheers  for  Isaac  Funk  of  Bloomington, 
who  was  a  member  of  that  legislature,  for  the  heroic 
stand  he  took  for  the  cause  of  the  Union. 

Gen.  Eugene  A.  Carr  arrived,  took  command,  and 
reviewed  our  division  on  March  4th.  We  were  under 


him  until  after  Vicksburg,  and  always  found  him  an 
efficient,  brave  and  courteous  commander.  While  he 
was  always  anxious  to  have  his  division  well  to  the 
front,  he  never  worried  his  troops  with  unnecessary 
services  or  formalities. 

On  March  10th,  the  command  started  in  high  spirits 
for  St.  Genevieve  on  the  Mississippi  river,  having  been 
told  that  we  were  to  join  the  forces  about  Vicksburg. 
The  first  day  we  inarched  12  miles  over  good  roads, 
partly  plank,  partly  turnpike,  and  on  the  next  day  lo 
miles,  passing  through  the  villages  of  Farniington  and 
Valley  Forge.  On  the  12th  there  were  milestones 
along  the  road,  and  the  men  became  very  anxious  to 
try  how  quickly  the  regiment  could  march  a  mile.  A 
spurt  was  made  between  two  milestones,  and  the  dis 
tance  was  covered  in  exactly  fifteen  minutes.  The 
next  mile  brought  us  on  a  hill  where  St.  Genevieve 
was  in  view,  and  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  beyond. 

On  the  Kith  the  33rd  with  the  left  wing  of  the  llth 
Wisconsin  and  part  of  a  battery,  were  embarked  on  the 
large  transport,  Illinois,  and  passed  70  miles  down  the 
river  and  tied  up  for  the  night.  Arrived  at  Cairo  at  2 
j>.  m.  next  day,  where  m:>st  of  the  men  got  ashore  and 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


35 


had  quite  a  hilarious  time.  A  number  were  left  when 
the  boat  pulled  out.  Passed  New  Madrid  and  Fort 
Pillow  on  the  18th,  arriving  at  Memphis  at  1  a.  m.  on 
the  19th,  where  we  remained  on  the  boat  until  the  af 
ternoon  of  the  22nd,  when  we  proceeded  down  the 
river,  leaving  a  number  of  men  behind  who  were  not 
yet  through  exploring  the  town. 

Arrived  at  Helena  at  11  p.  m.,  and  after  taking  on  sup 
plies  went  on  down  the  river  next  afternoon,  passing  our 
old  camp  at  "Old  Town"  of  evil  memory,  and  were 
glad  to  observe  that  it  was  some  feet  under  water. 
From  now  en  for  a  long  distance  the  soldiers  were 
pointing  out  places  where  they  had  differences  with 
the  Confederates  while  in  the  "cotton  business",  the 
summer  before.  We  were  so  familiar  with  the  river 
that  I  think  almost  any  man  in  the  regiment  would 
have  made  an  efficient  pilot.  Passing  Lake  Providence, 
we  went  ashore  some  distance  farther  down,  but  Gen. 
Carr  arriving  soon  after,  we  were  ordered  on  board 
again  and  were  landed  at  Milliken's  Bend  on  the  2fith. 
Here  we  found  the  peach  trees  red  with  blossoms,  and 
roses  and  violets  in  bloom,  a  pleasant  transition  from 
the  snow  storms  we  were  in  less  than  thirty  days  be 
fore.  By  the  27th  we  were  in  a  comfortable  camp  near 
the  levee. 

On  March  31st  our  command  was  reorganized  and  be 
came  the  14th  division  of  the  13th  Army  Corps,  Maj. 
Gen.  John  A.  McClernand  commanding.  Gen.  K.  A. 
Carr  was  given  the  command  of  the  division.  The  1st 
brigade  was  composed  of  the  33rd  and  99th  Illinois,  the 
8th  and  18th  Indiana  and  two  companies  of  regular  in 
fantry.  Brig.  Gen.  W.  P.  Benton  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  brigade.  We  had  been  under  the  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Benton  for  a  good  part  of  our  previous 
service,  and  he  had  not  commended  himself  to  the 
troops,  nor  did  he  afterward  in  more  trying  times. 
The  2nd  brigade  was  formed  by  the  21st,  22nd  and  23rd 
Iowa  and  llth  Wisconsin,  Brig.  Gen.  M.  K.  Lawler  com 
manding.  Davidson's  Peoria  battery  was  assigned  to  the 
division.  Gen.  Lawler  was  an  excellent  officer,  brave 
as  a  lion,  and  weighed  something  over  300  pounds. 
He  could  mount  his  horse  only  with  great  difficulty, 
and  when  he  was  mounted  it  was  pretty  hard  on  the 
horse. 

We  were  now  a  part  of  that  splendid  army  which 
soon  started  upon  a  campaign  which  was  one  of  the 
most  notable  and  successful  in  military  annals.  Its 
history  has  been  written  so  often,  and  is  so  accessible, 
that  I  shall  not  go  far  outside  the  operations  of  our 
own  regiment  in  this  narrative. 

On  April  1st  there  was  a  general  inspection  and  re 
view  at  which  the  regiment  was  very  anxious  to  make 
a  creditable  appearance,  but  it  did  not.  It  should  be 
said  somewhere,  and  it  may  as  well  be  said  here,  that 
the  men  of  our  regiment  were  always  keenly  ambitious 
for  the  good  name  of  the  33rd,  whether  in  battle  or  on 
o  ccasions  of  certmony.  And  I  say  it  with  confidence 
and  with  no  little  pride,  that  there  were  few,  if  any, 
better  drilled  regiments  than  ours  in  the  armies  with 


which  we  served.  But  unfortunately,  two  of  our  field 
officers  seemed  to  be  utterly  unable  to  handle  the  bat 
talion  with  any  skill.  I  am  but  stating  the  bare  truth 
when  I  say  that  they  never  learned  to  give  scarcely  a 
command  accurately,  save  "Forward!"  and  "Halt!" 
and  they  sometimes  bungled  on  these.  When  either  of 
them  had  command  on  review,  the  men  lost  all  sol 
dierly  bearing  and  appeared  to  have  no  more  backbone 
than  so  many  seamless  bags.  They  knew  it  was  no 
use.  Scores  of  times  on  ceremonial  occasions  I  have 
seen  our  splendid,  well-drilled  men  when  they  wanted 
to  lie  down  on  the  ground  and  hide  their  faces  in  their 
hats  in  shame  and  disgust.  It  may  be  thought  that 
these  statements  might  have  been  omitted,  but  if  they 
were  omitted  it  would  be  covering  up  one  of  the  great 
trials  we  had  to  endure  nearly  all  our  service.  1  have 
spoken  at  some  length  in  another  place  of  the  great 
merits  of  these  two  officers  in  other  respects,  and  they 
deserve  even  greater  praise  than  I  gave  them. 

Gen.  Grant  said,  "The  problem  now  was  to  secure  a 
footing  upon  any  ground  on  the  east  side  of  the  river 
from  which  the  troops  could  operate  against  Vicks- 
burg, "  and  for  this  purpose  he  tried  to  make  several 
waterways,  so  as  to  get  below  the  city,  avoiding  the 
batteries.  One  of  these  was  the  completion  of  a  canal, 
about  a  mile  in  length,  running  across  Young's  Point; 
another  by  cutting  the  levee  at  Lake  Providence  and 
trying  to  push  through  the  Washita,  Tenas,  and  other 
bayous  into  Red  River;  still  another  attempt  was 
made  by  the  Yazoo  Pass.  It  is  interesting  to  know 
now  what  Grant  alone  knew  then,  that  he  had  little 
expectation  that  any  of  these  attempts  would  succeed, 
and  he  states  in  his  Memoirs  that  they  were  engaged  in 
only  to  keep  the  troops  employed  and  to  conceal  the 
real  effort  that  was  to  be  made,  and  that  was  to  wait 
until  the  water  subsided  and  then  find  a  way  by  roads 
and  water  channels  to  Richmond,  La.,  and  from  there 
to  Carthage,  about  thirty  miles  above  Grand  Gulf. 
This  design  he  studiously  concealed  from  everyone,  not 
excepting  Gen.  Sherman.  I  know  of  no  time  during 
the  Civil  War  when  Gen.  Grant  showed  such  heroism, 
such  self  reliance,  such  patience  and  all  the  qualities 
that  make  the  great  soldier  as  he  did  in  these  days. 
From  December  until  April  the  river  was  higher  than 
the  land  and  his  army  was  camped  along  the  levees  al 
most  surrounded  by  water.  Sickness  prevailed  in 
every  camp.  The  northern  people  and  the  northern 
press  were  clamoring  for  a  forward  movement,  and  de 
manding  that  he  be  removed  and  McClernand,  Fre 
mont,  Hunter  or  McClellan  be  given  his  command. 
A  forward  movement  was  impossible,  and  without 
complaint,  and  replying  not  a  word,  he  waited  calm 
and  serene  and  watched  for  the  river  to  go  down,  and 
the  road  to  Richmond  to  come  in  sight.  President 
Lincoln  was  his  safety  in  this  crisis.  He  said  to  those 
pressing  for  his  removal,  "I  can  not  spare  this  man, 
he  fights." 

After  having  worked  some  days  on  the  canals,  it  was 
our    fortune  to  be  among  the  first  to  start  on  this  now 


30' 


PICTURES  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF. 


LIEUT.  COL.   HENRY   II.   POPE. 


MAJOR    ELIJAH   II.   GRAY. 


ADJUTANT   FREDERICK   M.  CRANDALL. 


ADJUTANT  E.   AARON  GOVE. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


37 


immortal  campaign.  "At  last  the  waters  began  to  re 
cede ;  the  roads  crossing  the  peninsula  behind  the 
levees  of  the  bayous  were  emerging  from  the  water." 

Gen.  McClernand  had  been  ordered  to  move  with  the 
four  divisions  of  the  13th  Corps,  by  way  of  Richmond. 
Tuesday  morning,  April  14th,  the  33rd  marched  seven 
miles  up  the  bayou,  crossed  it  on  a  bridge,  and  passed 
the  night  in  the  buildings  of  a  large  plantation,  which 
were  shaded  by  huge  live  oak  trees.  These  live  oaks 
were  of  great  interest  to  the  soldiers  from  the  North. 
Moved  at  4:30  next  morning  and  marched  seven  miles 
by  10  a.  m.,  passing  through  the  village  of  Rich 
mond. 

On  the  Kith  marched  ten  miles  and  camped  at 
another  large  plantation.  During  the  night  the  roar 
of  heavy  guns  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Vicksburg. 
We  were  within  easy  hearing,  but  just  out  of  sight  of 
one  of  the  grandest  spectacles  of  the  war.  How  we 
listened,  and  how  we  wondered  what  was  happening  ! 
Seven  gunboats  and  three  transports  were  being 
pounded  by  fourteen  miles  of  batteries  ! 

At  ten  o'clock  at  night  the  flagship  Benton,  with 
Admiral  Porter,  started  down  the  river,  followed  at 
.intervals  by  the  LaFayette,  Mound  City,  Pittsburg  and 
Carondelet.  Then  came  the  transports  Forest  Queen, 
Silver  Wave  and  Henry  Clay,  the  gunboat  Tuscumbia 
bringing  up  the  rear.  Very  soon  the  battery  at  War- 
renton  boomed  out  against  the  Kenton,  then  mile  after 
mile  of  heavy  guns  joined  in  the  chorus.  Houses  were 
fired  and  bonfires  lighted  on  both  sides  of  the  river, 
which  made  the  scene  as  light  as  day.  Shot  after  shot 
crashed  through  the  transports,  pounded  the  broad 
decks  and  glanced  from  the  iron  sides  of  the  gunboats. 
The  plucky  vessels  ran  close  in  shore  and  returned  shot 
for  shot.  How  the  roar  of  the  conflict  went  up  and 
down  the  river,  and  out  through  the  great  forests,  mak 
ing  the  hanging  moss  on  the  live  oaks  shake  with  the 
concussions!  And  how  the  army,  standing  on  the 
levees  and  beside  the  bayous,  listened  and  hoped  ! 
What  must  have  been  the  anxiety  of  the  Great  Com 
mander  as  he  held  his  boat  at  the  bend  of  the  river  to 
watch  the  progess  of  the  fleet?  The  success  of  all  his 
plans  depended  on  its  safe  passage;  without  the  fleet 
and  transports,  the  river  could  not  be  crossed  below  ; 
the  army  must  halt  and  go  back  baffled  and  humiliated. 
With  its  destruction,  a  roar  of  denunciation  and  deri 
sion  would  come  from  the  North  far  greater  than  that 
which  now  dinned  his  ears.  It  would  be  another 
"failure  against  Vicksburg",  and  his  career  would  be 
closed  in  defeat  and  ignominy.  What  a  relief  it  must 
have  been  to  watch  the  fleet  go  by  safe  and  triumphant. 
At  no  time  had  his  fate,  and  perhaps  the  fate  of  the 
country,  hung  so  evenly  in  the  balance. 

When  the  sound  of  the  last  shot  died  away,  the  doom 
of  the  rebellion  was  sealed.  The  casualties  of  the  gun 
boats  were  only  eight  wounded.  The  transport  Henry 
Clay  was  set  on  fire  and  burned  to  the  water's  edge  by 
a  shell  bursting  in  the  cotton  packed  about  her  boilers. 
The  crew  escaped  to  the  shore.  Next  morning  the 


whole  army  was  full  of  life  and  on  the  move.  Grant 
hastened  to  New  Carthage  and  ordered  forward  the  13th 
Corps,  to  be  followed  by  the  17th  and  loth.  The  troops 
were  ordered  to  bivouac  where  they  could. 

After  marching  down  the  levee  many  miles,  crossing 
bayous  on  flat  boats  and  extern  pori/ed  bridges,  the  33rd 
was  at  Perkins'  plantation  on  the  21st.  This  had  been 
a  magnificent  estate.  The  grounds  were  filled  with 
flowers  and  ornamental  shrubbery.  In  the  garden  there 
was  a  large  square  block  of  marble  bearing  the  inscrip 
tion,  as  near  as  I  can  remember  it:  "A  solid  block  of 
marble,  in  the  midst  of  flowers,  best  represents  him." 
It  was  in  memory  of  a  son  who  had  been  lost  at  sea 
some  years  before.  The  buildings  had  all  been  burned 
to  the  ground.  It  was  said  that  Judge  Perkins,  the 
owner,  and  then  a  member  of  the  Confederate  Congress, 
had  set  fire  to  them  himself  when  he  saw  Farragut's 
fleet  corning  up  the  river  after  the  capture  of  New  Or 
leans,  swearing  that  they  should  not  furnish  shelter  for 
the  d  — d  Yankees.  The  plantation  of  Jeff  Davis  was 
just  across  the  river,  and  it  was  just  as  well  for  the 
plantation  that  it  was  across  the  river. 

On  the  night  of  the  22nd  heavy  firing  was  again 
heard  in  the  direction  of  Vicksburg;  six  more  trans 
ports  ran  the  gauntlet  and  came  down  to  Perkins'  plan 
tation  with  only  the  loss  of  the  Tigress.  The  regiment 
was  employed  on  the  23rd  in  unloading  the  Empire 
City.  She  had  been  badly  cut  up,  a  shot  through  the 
steam  chest  and  two  through  the  pilot  house,  where  the 
pilot  had  been  killed.  They  were  brave  men  who 
manned  those  transports.  Gen.  Grant  made  his  head 
quarters  here  on  the  24th. 

We  remained  in  this  place  until  the  2(>th  without  in 
cident,  except  that  on  this  date  we  were  addressed  by 
Gov.  Yates  and  Gen.  McClernand.  Just  before  night 
on  the  27th  the  33rd  was  embarked  on  the  Forest- 
Queen,  the  99th  Illinois  and  the  18th  Indiana  alongside 
in  barges.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  swung 
down  the  river,  following  the  <Sth  Indiana  on  the 
Moderator,  and  landed  about  noon  on  the  Louisiana 
side  just  above  Grand  Gulf.  J5y  the  morning  of  the 
29th  the  13th  Corps  was  concentrated  at  this  point, 
some  on  boats  and  some  on  shore.  McClernand  had 
been  ordered  to  embark  all  the  troops  from  his  corps 
that  the  transports  and  barges  could  carry.  About 
10,000  were  so  embarked. 

"The  plan  was  to  have  the  navy  silence  the  guns  at 
Grand  Gulf,  and  to  have  as  many  men  as  possible 
ready  to  disembark  in  the  shortest  possible  time  under 
cover  of  the  fire  of  the  navy,  and  carry  the  works  by 
storm. "— Grant. 

At  eight  o'clock  the  attack  began  in  plain  sight  of 
the  troops  on  the  transports  and  on  shore,  and  for  five 
hours  eight  gunboats  pelted  the  bluffs  without  silencing 
a  single  gun.  What  a  sight  it  was— the  shells  from  the 
fleet  throwing  up  the  dirt  everywhere  on  the  bluffs 
while  those  from  the  shore  tore  the  boats  and  skipped 
and  ricochetted  on  the  water.  The  pleasure  of  looking 
at  this  spectacle  was  somewhat  lessened  by  the  expecta- 


38 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


tion  of  being  called  on  at  any  moment  to  assault  those 
belching  batteries. 

In  the  meantime  Gen.  Grant,  in  a  little  tug,  with  a 
few  officers,  had  been  moving  among  the  boats  of  the 
fleet,  hoping  to  be  able  to  give  the  signal  for  the  assault. 
About  half-past  one  the  navy  withdrew,  seeing  their 
efforts  were  unavailing.  I  remember  seeing  the  flag 
ship  after  she  had  landed,  with  a  great  rent  in  her  side 
made  by  a  shell  which  killed  and  wounded  many  of 
her  men.  The  navy  lost  in  this  engagement  eighteen 
killed  and  fifty-six  wounded. 

The  troops  were  at  once  landed  and  started  down  the 
shore,  crossed  the  point,  and  "came  out  three  miles  be 
low  the  fortified  bluff's  and  camped  on  the  levee.  Dur 
ing  the  night  the  fleet  and  transports,  Moderator,  Hori- 
/on,  Silver  Wade,  Forest  Queen  and  Cheesman,  suc 
cessfully  ran  the  blockade.  Five  horses  were  killed  on 
the  Cheesman.  At  daylight  on  April  30th  the  Thirty- 
Third  was  placed  on  a  barge  lashed  to  the  Forrest 
Queen.  All  the  ironclads,  gunboats,  river  steamers 
and  barges  crowded  with  troops  again  moved  down  the 
river,  expecting  to  land  at  Rodney,  nine  miles  below, 
but  a  colored  man  had  told  Gen.  Grant  that  a  good 
landing  could  be  found  at  Brunisburg,  some  miles 
nearer,  and  we  were  speedily  landed  at  this  point  on 
the  Mississippi  side. 

Grant  states  in  his  Memoirs:  "When  this  was  ef 
fected,  I  felt  a  degree  of  relief  scarcely  ever  equalled 
since;  all  the  campaigns,  labor,  hardships  and  expo 
sures  from  the  month  of  December  previous  that  had 
been  made  and  endured,  were  for  the  accomplishment 
of  this  one  object."  He  also  said,  "I  was  on  dry 
ground,  and  on  the  same  side  of  the  river  with  the  ene 
my,"  which  I  regard  as  even  a  more  notable  expres 
sion  than  "I  will  fight  it  out  on  this  line  if  it  takes  all 
summer,"  yet  I  have  never  seen  it  quoted.  It  was  the 
design  of  the  commanding  general  to  reach  the  bridge 
at  Port  Gibson,  across  the  Bayou  Pierre,  before  the 
enemy  could  reinforce  from  Vicksburg. 

After  having  hurriedly  been  provided  with  a  few 
rations,  Carr's  division  pushed  rapidly  for  the  bluffs 
two  miles  away.  The  rest  of  the  13th  Corps  and  the 
divisions  of  Logan  and  ('rocker  of  the  17th  Corps  fol 
lowed  close  behind.  Reaching  the  bluffs,  the  column 
headed  for  Port  Gibson,  some  twelve  miles  distant.  The 
march  continued  long  into  the  night,  the  2nd  brigade 
leading.  It  was  a  most  tedious  tramp,  although  the  roads 
were  g(«>d  and  it  was  bright  moonlight.  During  the  fre 
quent  halts  the  men  would  drop  upon  the  ground  and 
go  instantly  to  sleep,  and  it  was  no  little  trouble  to 
rouse  them  to  move  on  again.  Sometime  after  mid 
night  the  enemy  was  found  and  after  an  exchange  of  a 
few  shots  by  the  artillery,  the  troops  slept  on  their 
arms  until  morning.  At  daybreak  the  enemy  was 
found  in  position  at  Thompson's  Hill,  about  five  miles 
west  of  Port  Gibson.  The  force  was  the  garrison  of 
Grand  Gulf,  about  8,000  strong,  under  Gen.  Bowen. 
The  place  was  well  chosen  for  defense,  the  country  be 
ing  cut  up  with  frequent  and  very  deep  ravines,  filled 


with  timber,  undergrowth,  vines  and  canebrakes  that 
were  well  nigh  impenetrable.  Near  where  the  battle 
began  the  road  to  Port  Gibson  divides,  and  each  branch 
was  along  a  ridge;  the  ridges  were  separated  by  an  al 
most  impassable  ravine. 

McClernand  advanced  three  of  his  divisions,  Carr's, 
Hovey's  and  A.  J.  Smith's,  on  the  right-hand  road, 
Osterhaus  on  the  left,  and  the  battle  began.  The  divi 
sions  on  the  right  had  little  difficulty  in  forcing  the 
enemy  back,  but  Osterhaus  had  serious  trouble,  and 
could  not  be  reinforced  from  the  right  wing  on  account 
of  the  ravine.  He  made  no  headway  until  Gen.  Grant, 
who  was  on  the  field,  sent  two  brigades  of  Logan's  di 
vision  and  one  of  John  K.  Smith's  to  his  assistance, 
when  the  enemy  was  soon  routed  and  fled  from  the 
field  at  about  2  a.  in.  At  the  beginning  of  the  engage 
ment  four  companies  of  the  33rd  under  Maj.  Potter 
were  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers  and  met  with  some 
casualties  in  wounded.  The  regiment  being  on  the  ex 
treme  right  of  the  brigade  was  thrown  into  the  deep 
ravines,  where  it  floundered  most  of  the  day  in  cane- 
brakes  so  dense  that  one  could  not  see  a  rod  in  any  di 
rection.  The  33rd  was  fearfully  mixed  up  more  than 
once  that  day  The  casualties  in  our  regiment  were 
twelve  wounded.  The  18th  Indiana  of  our  brigade 
suffered  quite  severely,  having  1!)  killed  and  <i4  wound 
ed.  The  loss  in  the  brigade  was  28  killed  and  134 
wounded  ;  in  the  division,  41  killed  and  234  wounded  ; 
in  the  corps,  12.1  killed  and  278  wounded.  The  Con 
federate  loss  is  stated  at  loO  killed,  1,000  wounded  and 
500  captured.  The  battle  of  Thompson's  Hill,  or  Port 
Gibson,  was  the  beginning  of  the  beating  of  Pember- 
ton's  army  in  detail. 

The  33rd  slept  on  the  battlefield,  and  at  sunrise  next 
morning  crossed  a  deep  ravine,  came  upon  the  road  and 
was  soon  in  the  town  of  Port  Gibson,  where  it  was  at 
once  engaged  with  the  8th  Indiana  in  building  a  raft 
bridge  across  Bayou  Pierre.  A  bridge  was  still  burning 
near  by  which  had  been  fired  by  the  retreating  enemy. 
Col.  J.  H.  Wilson  of  Grant's  staff  superintended  the 
work,  which  was  completed  in  four  hours,  the  material 
for  the  structure  being  taken  from  houses,  stables  and 
fences. 

On  the  morning  of  May  3rd  Carr's  division  was 
moved  out  two  miles  on  the  road  toward  Grand  Gulf 
and  then  was  returned  to  the  town  and  was  advanced 
seven  miles  on  the  Willow  Springs  road,  where  we 
bivouacked  for  the  night  in  a  field  in  line  of  battle.  It 
is  an  important  fact  that  this  was  the  decisive  day  of 
the  campaign,  although  no  buttles  were  fought.  On 
this  date  Gen.  Grant  visited  Grand  Gulf,  which  had 
l>een  evacuated.  He  there  learned  that  Banks  would  l>e 
unable  to  co-operate  with  him  before  the  10th,  perhaps 
not  for  a  month.  He  states  that  up  to  this  time  it  had 
been  his  intention  to  secure  Grand  Gulf  as  a  base  of 
supplies,  detach  McClernand's  Corps  to  Banks,  and  co 
operate  with  him  in  the  reduction  of  Port  Hudson  ; 
then  return  with  Banks's  troops  as  reinforcements  and 
reduce  Vicksburg. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


39 


Ho  instantly  changed  the  entire  plan  of  his  campaign 
and  determined  to  move  independently  of  Banks,  cut 
loose  from  his  base  and  capture  Vicksburg  with  the 
force  he  then  had,  and  so  notified  the  authorities  at 
Washington,  although  he  knew  such  a  course  would  be 
disapproved,  and  «oes  on  to  say,  "That  the  time  it 
would  take  to  communicate  with  Washington  and  get  a 
reply  would  be  so  great,  that  I  could  not  be  interfered 
with  until  it  demonstrated  whether  my  plan  was  prac 
ticable. "  At  this  time,  also,  Sherman  wrote  him  from 
Hankinson's  Ferry  urging  him  "to  stop  all  troops  un 
til  your  army  is  partially  supplied  with  wagons." 
But  hi'  did  not  stop,  and  gave  Sherman  a  lesson  in  ig 
noring  a  base  of  supplies  which  he  utili/ed  "while 
marching  through  Georgia".  The  instant  change  of 
plan  of  campaign  by  Gen.  Grant  on  the  3rd  of  May, 
18(>3,  is  perhaps  the  lu>st  illustration  of  the  courage,  re 
sourcefulness  and  genius  of  that  indomitable  man. 

On  the  4th  the  brigade  nr»ved  a  few  miles  to  the  sus 
pension  bridge  across  Bayou  Pierre,  which  had  been 
fired  by  the  rebels,  and  camped  in  a  ridgy  field. 
Stayed  in  this  place  on  the  oth  without  anything  in 
particular  occurring,  except  that  we  were  harangued 
by  Gen.  Benton  and  all  the  colonels.  Xo  advance  on 
thefith,  but  at  3  :30  next  morning  the  brigade  moved  and 
went  twelve  miles  on  the  Rocky  Springs  road,  the  33rd 
left  in  front,  leading,  and  went  into  camp  for  two  days. 

On  May  10th  moved  ten  miles,  passing  the  little  town 
of  Cayuga  ;  camped  in  a  field  of  young  cotton  and 
stayed  there  next  day.  Marched  at  sunrise  on  the 
12th,  moving  slowly  and  making  many  halts.  Ad 
vanced  some  six  miles  to  within  four  miles  of  Edwards 
Station  and  stopped  for  the  night.  On  this  day  we 
were  within  hearing  of  the  guns  at  Raymond,  where 
Logan's  division  fought  a  severe  battle.  This  was  one 
of  the  many  engagements  in  Avhich  Gen.  Logan  showed, 
conspicuous  bravery  and  generalship.  Many  years  af 
terward,  at  Springfield,  111.,  at  the  time  Weaver's  vote 
elected  him  to  the  Senate,  he  told  me  how  he  won  this 
battle.  He  stated  that  when  the  fight  was  at  the  hot 
test,  a  tall,  lank,  careless-looking  soldier,  who  had  evi 
dently  been  operating  on  his  own  hook,  came  to  him 
and  said,  "Gineral,  I  hev  been  over  on  the  rise  yonder, 
and  it's  my  idee  that  if  you'll  put  a  rigiment  or  two 
over  thar,  you'll  git  on  their  flank  and  lick  'em  easy." 
Seeing  that  the  advice  was  excellent  he  sent  a  couple  of 
regiments  to  the  place  indicated,  and  with  a  strong 
push  in  front  the  enemy  was  at  once  routed.  Gen. 
Logan  told  this  anecdote  to  illustrate  the  assurance,  en 
terprise  and  good  sense  of  the  volunteer  soldier. 

On  the  13th,  Carr's  division  advanced  some  ten  miles 
toward  Jackson,  moving  early  next  morning  in  a 
violent  rain  on  the  road  to  Mississippi  Springs.  Halt 
ing  at  that  place  three  hours,  we  moved  five  miles 
farther  to  within  six  miles  of  Jackson,  and  went 
into  cam})  in  the  mud.  An  incident  occurred  here 
which  I  remember  with  amusement  to  this  day. 

When  the  halt  was  made  for  camp,  the  men  scattered 
to  buildings  in  the  vicinity  and  ripped  off  sidings  and 


boards  on  which  to  sleep,  as  the  water  nearly  covered 
the  ground.  Sergeant  Dwire,  of  Company  E,  had  re 
turned  with  a  little  kid,  which  he  intended  for  his  sup 
per,  and  what  looked  like  a  small  wagon  load  of  lumber 
on  his  back,  which  he  had  carried  a  long  distance  and 
was  well  nigh  exhausted.  Just  as  the  Sergeant  threw 
down  his  load  a  hurried  order  came  to  "fall  in",  and 
move  farther  on.  Dwire  at  once  mounte:!  his  lumber 
pile,  took  oft  his  hat,  and  brandishing  his  kid  around 
his  head  began  to  swear  with  an  earnestness  and  elo 
quence  that  has  seldom  been  equalled.  He  could  be 
heard  a  mile.  The  scene  threw  the  whole  regiment  into 
roars  of  laughter  and  everybody  at  once  became  good- 
natured.  We  moved  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  but 
Dwire  did  not  go  back  after  his  lumber. 

Just  at  this  time  we  were  informal  that  the  battle  of 
Jackson  had  b^-n  fought  and  won  by  McPherson  and 
Sherman.  Grant's  headquarters  were  in  Jackson,  and 
lie  slept  that  night  in  the  room  that  was  occupied  the 
night  before  by  the  Confederate  general,  Joe  Johnston. 

The  situation  was  now  extremely  critical,  and  for 
any  other  general  would  have  been  desperate.  The 
army  was  without  a  base  of  supplies  anywhere;  John 
ston  was  but  six  miles  away  with  an  army  of  11,000; 
Pemberton  was  out  from  the  defenses  of  Vicksburg 
with  a  force  larger  than  Grant's  whole  army,  and  close 
in  the  rear,  with  orders  from  Johnston  to  attack  at 
once.  This  information  reaching  (Jen.  Grant  through 
intercepted  dispatches,  he  faced  about  his  entire  army 
and  by  the  night  of  the  loth  concentrated  it  at  and 
near  Bolton,  some  eighteen  miles  west  of  Jackson,  ex 
cept  two  divisions  under  Shermui  which  were  left  be 
hind  at  Jackson.  On  the  loth  our  division  faced  about 
and  moved  twelve  miles,  passing  through  Raymond. 
A  short  halt  at  that  place  afforded  Gen.  Benton  another 
opportunity  to  make  a  speech  to  our  regiment.  It  was 
as  follows:  "Gentlemen  of  the  Thirty-Third  Illinois 
Volunteers,  I  have  the  great  pleasure  of  informing  you 
that  Richmond  is  taken  and  the  rebels  are  cut  all  to 
the  d— 1."  The  regiment  was  lying  down  resting  and 
it  sprang  to  its  feet  and  began  to  cheer  like  mad.  The 
news  went  quickly  down  the  line,  and  in  a  moment  the 
whole  division  was  in  a  frenzy  of  rejoicing.  This  news 
was  given  out  to  the  whole  army  and  cheers  could  be 
heard  everywhere.  It  proved  to  be  the  last  cheer  of 
many  a  brave  soldier  It  is  not  necessary  to  say  that 
this  information  was  not  well  founded. 

In  the  early  morning  of  May  16th  Carr's  division, 
the  33rd  leading,  moved  out  on  what  was  called  the 
middle  road  to  Vicksburg.  After  marching  two  or 
three  miles  we  were  halted  arid  formed  in  column  in  a 
field  planted  in  corn  The  divisions  of  Osterhaiis,  Blair 
of  the  17th  Corps,  temporarily  under  the  orders  of  Mc- 
Clernand,  and  A.  J.  Smith  were  successively  on  our 
left,  and,  as  it  proved,  confronting  the  center  and  right 
wing  of  Pemberton 's  army,  which  was  in  line  of  battle 
in  a  ridge  called  Champion's  Hill.  Hovey's  division 
was  farther  north  and  in  advance,  on  the  Clinton  road, 
and  McPherson  with  two  divisions  close  behind. 


40 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


The  skirmishers  of  Smith  and  Osterhaus  first  struck 
the  pickets  of  the  enemy  and  drove  them  back  on  the 
main  line,  those  divisions  making  no  further  attack  at 
the  time.  About  the  same  hour  Hovey  found  the 
enemy  in  his  front  and  at  once  began  a  furious  battle 
with  the  left  wing  of  Pemberton's  force.  This  he  sus 
tained  for  two  hours  quite  alone,  Logan  and  Crocker  of 
the  17th  Corps  coming  to  his  assistance  as  soon  as  they 
could  get  up.  In  the  meantime,  our  division  and  the 
other  divisions  of  the  18th  Corps,  with  Blair's  of  the 
17th,  were  standing  idle  and  waiting  close  by  while 
this  fierce  conflict  was  being  fought  by  a  single  divi 
sion.  For  four  hours  we  stood  there  listening,  waiting 
and  wondering  why  we  were  not  put  into  the  fight. 
Fifteen  minutes  would  have  put  us  into  the  battle  any 
time  that  day.  It  was  a  matter  of  speculation  in  the 
regiment  at  the  time,  and  long  afterward,  why  we  were 
not  moved  forward,  and  I,  at  least,  never  knew  until  I 
read  Grant's  account  of  that  battle  in  his  Memoirs. 
He  says : 

"McClernand  was  in  person  on  the  middle  road,  and 
had  a  shorter  distance  to  march  than  McPherson  to 
reach  the  enemy's  position.  I  sent  him  word  by  a 
staff"  officer  to  push  forward  and  attack.  These  orders 
were  repeated  several  times  without  apparently  expe 
diting  McClernand's  advance. 

********* 

"McClernand,  two  hours  before,  had  been  within 
two  miles  and  a  half  of  their  center,  with  two  divi 
sions.  Blair's  and  A.  J.  Smith's  were  confronting  the 
rebel  right ;  Ransom  with  a  brigade  of  McArthur's  di 
vision  was  coming  up  on  their  right  flank.  Neither 
Logan  nor  I  knew  that  we  had  cut  off  the  retreat  of 
the  enemy. 

"Just  at  this  juncture  a  messenger  came  from  Hovey 
asking  for  more  reinforcements.  There  were  none  to 
spare.  I  then  gave  an  order  to  move  McPherson's  com 
mand  by  the  left  flank  around  to  Hovey.  This  uncov 
ered  the  rebel  line  of  retreat,  which  was  soon  taken 
advantage  of  by  the  enemy.  During  all  the  time 
Hovey,  reinforced  as  he  was  by  a  brigade  from  Logan 
and  another  from  Crocker,  and  by  Crocker  gallantly 
coining  up  with  two  other  brigades  on  his  right,  had 
made  several  assualts,  the  last  one  about  the  time  the 
road  was  opened  to  the  rear.  The  enemy  fled  precipi 
tately.  This  was  between  three  and  four  o'clock.  I 
rode  forward,  or  rather  back,  to  where  the  middle  road 
intersects  the  north  road,  and  found  the  skirmishers  of 
Carr's  division  just  coming  in.  [These  were  the  skirm 
ishers  of  the  88 rd,  and  it  was  at  this  time  and  place 
that  Shores  and  Shiner,  of  Company  C,  were  killed.— 
I.  H.  E.  ]  Osterhaus  was  farther  south,  and  soon  after 
came  up  with  skirmishers  advanced  in  like  manner. 
[Gen.  A.  P.]  Hovey's  division  and  McPherson's  two 
divisions  with  him  had  marched  and  fought  from 
early  dawn,  and  were  not  in  the  best  condition  to  fol 
low  the  retreating  foe,  I  sent  orders  to  Osterhaus  to 
pursue  the  enemy,  and  to  Carr,  whom  I  saw  person 
ally.  I  explained  the  situation  and  directed  him  to 


pursue  vigorously  as  far  as  the  Big  Black,  and  to  cross 
it  if  he  could,  Osterhaus  to  follow  him.  The  pursuit 
was  continued  until  after  dark. 

"The  battle  of  Champion's  Hill  lasted  about  four 
hours,  hard  fighting,  preceded  by  two  or  three  hours  of 
skirmishing,  some  of  which  almost  rose  to  the  dignity 
of  a  battle.  Kvery  man  of  Hovey's  division  and  of 
McPherson's  two  divisions  was  engaged  during  the 
battle.  No  other  part  of  my  command  was  engaged  at 
all,  except  that  as  described  before.  Osterhaus  and  A. 
J.  Smith's  divisions  had  encountered  the  rebels  as 
early  as  half -past  seven.  Their  positions  were  admir 
able  for  advancing  upon  the  enemy's  line.  AlcCler- 
nand  with  two  divisions  was  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  battlefield  long  before  noon,  and  in  easy  hen  ring. 
I  sent  him  repeated  orders  by  staff  officers,  fully  com 
petent  to  explain  the  situation  to  him.  These  trav 
ersed  the  wood  separating  us  without  escort,  and 
directed  him  to  push  forward,  but  he  did  not  come. 
Instead  of  this,  he  sent  orders  to  Hovey,  who  belonged 
to  his  corps,  to  join  on  to  his  right  flank.  Hovey  was 
bearing  the  brunt  of  the  battle  at  this  time.  To  obey 
the  order  he  would  have  had  to  pull  out  from  the  front 
of  the  enemy  and  march  back  as  far  as  McClernand 
had  to  advance  to  get  into  battle,  and  substantially 
over  the  same  ground.  Of  course  I  did  not  permit 
Hovey  to  obey  the  orders  of  his  immediate  superior. 

"We  had  in  this  battle  about  lo,0()0  men  absolutely 
engaged.  This  excludes  those  that  did  not  get  up,  all  of 
McClernand's  command  except  Hovey.  Our  loss  was 
410  killed,  1,844  wounded,  and  187  missing.  Hovey 
alone  lost  1,200  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  more 
than  one-third  of  his  division.  Had  McClernand  come 
up  with  reasonable  promptness,  or  had  I  known  the 
ground  then  as  I  did  afterward,  I  cannot  see  how  Pem- 
berton  could  have  escaped  with  any  organized  force." 

The  fair  inference  from  this  account  is,  that  had  the 
whole  force  of  the  18th  Corps  promptly  engaged  in  this 
battle,  Pemberton's  army  would  have  been  captured  or 
destroyed,  Grant's  army  would  have  marched  into 
Vicksburg  unopposed,  the  battle  of  Black  River,  the 
charge  of  the  22nd  of  May,  and  the  long  siege  would 
have  been  avoided.  It  is  a  matter  of  wonder  that 
Grant  did  not  relieve  McClernand  then  and  there; 
there  was  much  greater  reason  for  it  than  for  relieving 
Warren  from  the  command  of  the  nth  Corps  at  Five 
Forks. 

In  compliance  with  the  order  from  Grant  to  Carr, 
before  mentioned,  the  33rd  moved  rapidly  forward, 
most  of  the  regiment  in  line  of  skirmishers,  passing  a 
portion  of  the  battlefield  where  the  fighting  had  been 
most  desperate,  and  where  a  battery  had  been  taken, 
retaken,  and  taken  again.  At  this  place  one  could  walk 
for  many  rods  by  stepping  alternately  upon  the  dead 
body  of  a  Union  soldier  and  then  upon  that  of  a  Con 
federate.  Many  of  the  scattered  enemy  fell  into  our 
hands,  but  we  had  no  time  for  prisoners  and  pressed  on 
in  pursuit,  coming  to  Edwards  Station  after  dark, 
where  we  were  greeted  by  the  explosion  of  the  ammu- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


41 


nition  which  had  been  stored  there.  Here  we  dropped 
on  the  ground,  and  at  half-past  two  in  the  morning 
started  on  again  in  pursuit. 

I  had  been  given  command  of  the  skirmishers,  and 
companies  A,  B,  D,  E,  H  and  K  were  deployed  one 
after  the  other,  and  were  soon  exchanging  shots  wi(h 
the  enemy  at  Black  River  Bridge.  By  six  o'clock  our 
skirmishers  were  in  line  in  the  woods,  beyond  which 
was  an  open  cornfield  a  few  hundred  yards  across,  and 
just  beyond  that  were  the  enemy  in  their  trenches, 
which  were  protected  by  cotton  bales ;  they  were  also 
protected  by  a  deep  bayou,  which  served  as  a  moat. 

We  were  fired  upon  by  the  rebel  artillery,  our  batter 
ies  replying  over  our  heads,  the  danger  to  us  being 
about  equal  from  each.  In  a  short  time  Lieut.  Col. 
Warmoth,  chief  of  McClernand's  staff,  came  to  me 
with  an  order  to  advance  the  skirmishers  into  the  field, 
and,  if  opportunity  offered,  to  make  a  dash  on  the 
enemy's  works.  I  confess  that  for  a  moment  I  was  as 
reluctant  to  obey  orders  as  Gen.  McClernand  was  the 
day  before,  as  it  did  not  look  practicable  to  me  to  make 
an  assault  with  skirmishers  upon  intrenchments  filled 
full  of  men  with  guns  in  their  hands.  However,  the 
dash  must  be  made,  but  I  determined  it  should  be  the 
most  conservative  "dash'1  in  military  annals.  Conse 
quently  the  men  were  ordered  to  lie  down  and  creep 
along  the  corn  rows  and  take  their  time  for  it.  This 
they  did,  firing  as  they  crawled,  and  turning  on  their 
backs  to  load. 

At  this  season  of  the  year  the  dews  in  that  region 
were  quite  as  heavy  as  a  substantial  rain,  and  the  men 
floundering  in  the  early  morning  through  the  dense 
undergrowth,  and  some  of  them  through  a  field  of  rye 
waist  high,  were  as  soaking  wet  as  if  they  had  been 
swimming  in  a  river;  and  as  they  advanced  through 
the  plowed  field,  turning  on  their  backs  to  load,  they 
took  on  coat  after  coat  of  mud.  It  was  serious  business, 
but  at  the  same  time  the  fun  of  it  was  indescribable. 
It  is  likely  that  if  I  had  had  the  nerve  to  order  a 
charge,  the  enemy  would  have  been  so  paraly/ed  by 
the  frightful  apparitions  that  they  could  not  have  fired 
a  shot. 

In  the  meantime,  our  second  brigade  was  formed  in 
the  woods  in  "column  by  battalion",  each  colonel  in 
front  of  his  colors,  and  the  lieutenant  colonels  and 
majors  in  front  of  the  wings  of  their  respective  regi 
ments.  As  soon  as  the  brigade  appeared  in  the  open 
the  Confederates  paid  no  more  attention  to  us  than  if 
we  had  been  so  many  fireflies,  and  centered  all  their 
fire  on  the  charging  column.  Officers  and  men  went 
down ;  flags  went  down,  but  were  snatched  up  and 
borne  grandly  forward  ;  there  was  not  a  halt  or  waver 
in  the  splendid  brigade.  It  went  through  the  bayou 
and  over  the  works  and  won  the  battle  of  Black  River. 
Those  of  the  enemy  not  captured  escaped  by  swimming 
the  river  and  swarming  across  the  high  trestle  work  of 
the  railroad  bridge.  1751  rebels  surrendered  in  the 
trenches  and  eighteen  guns  were  captured.  The  loss  in 
the  33rd  was  one  officer  and  twelve  men  wounded ;  in 


the  brigade,  1  killed  and  2  officers  and  20  men 
wounded  ;  in  the  2nd  brigade,  2  officers  and  25  men 
killed  and  7  officers  and  187  men  wounded. 

As  soon  as  LawJer's  brigade  started  in  the  charge,  our 
skirmishers  sprang  to  their  feet  and  went  over  the 
works  at  the  same  time,  but  farther  to  the  left.  We 
were  first  at  the  guns  that  were  taken,  and  the  honor 
of  the  capture  was  accorded  to  us,  but  I  am  inclined  to 
think  that  it  properly  belonged  to  our  brave  comrades 
of  the  second  brigade. 

On  a  map  in  the  first  volume  of  Grant's  Memoirs, 
page  527,  the  position  of  the  skirmishers  of  the  33rd 
Illinois  and  42nd  Ohio,  Garh'eld's  regiment,  in  this 
battle  is  given.  On  the  opposite  page  a  most  interest 
ing  and  amusing  statement  is  made: 

"While  the  troops  were  standing  as  here  described, 
an  officer  from  Banks's  staff  came  up  and  presented  me 
with  a  letter  from  Gen.  Halleck,  dated  the  llth  day  of 
May.  It  had  been  sent -to  Banks  by  way  of  New  Or 
leans  to  be  handed  to  me.  It  ordered  me  to  return  to 
Grand  Gulf  and  co-operate  from  there  with  Banks 
against  Port  Hudson,  and  then  to  return  with  our  com 
bined  forces  to  besiege  Vicksburg.  I  toJd  the  officer 
the  order  had  come  too  late,  and  that  Halleck  would 
not  give  it  now  if  he  knew  our  position.  The  bearer  of 
the  dispatch  insisted  that  I  should  obey  the  order,  and 
was  giving  his  arguments  in  support  of  his  position, 
when  I  heard  great  cheering  to  the  right  of  our  line, 
and,  looking  in  that  direction,  saw  Lawler  in  his  shirt 
sleeves  leading  a  charge  upon  the  enemy.  I  immedi 
ately  mounted  my  horse  and  rode  in  the  direction  of 
the  charge,  and  saw  no  more  of  the  officer  who  deliv 
ered  the  dispatch,  I  think  not  even  to  this  day." 

How  fortunate  it  was  that  he  had  not  been  in  quick 
communication  with  the  War  Department! 

There  were  other  incidents  of  this  day  which  I  have 
no  doubt  many  of  the  33rd  will  remember.  When  our 
skirmishers  went  over  the  works,  Jimmy  Atkins  of 
Company  K,  looking  like  a  little  bedraggled  rooster, 
sprang  upon  one  of  the  cannons,  clapped  his  elbows  on 
his  sides  and  crowed  like  a  game  cock.  Noticing  the 
lanyard,  he  gave  it  a  vigorous  pull,  and,  not  dreaming 
it  was  loaded,  fired  the  cannon  he  was  astride  of,  send 
ing  the  shell  close  over  the  heads  of  our  advancing 
troops.  It  created  quite  a  sensation,  but  fortunately 
the  elevation  of  the  piece  was  such  that  no  one  was  in 
jured.  It  was  the  first  time  that  Jimmy  was  known 
to  be  frightened. 

After  we  were  inside  the  intrenchments,  I  was  sit 
ting  down  smoking  my  "briar  wood",  and  looking  at 
the  hills  beyond  the  river,  when  I  saw  a  puff  of  white 
smoke  come  out  of  the  woods,  and  from  it  a  dark  ob 
ject  which  seemed  to  be  coming  in  my  direction.  1 
involuntarily  rolled  over  to  get  out  of  the  way,  and  in 
an  instant  a  ball  or  shell  struck  just  where  I  had  been 
sitting,  and  went  bounding  away  in  the  distance.  This 
story  has  the  ear  marks  of  a  lie,  but  it  is  not. 

On  the  18th  we  crossed  Black  river  on  extemporized 
bridges,  ascended  the  bluff  without  opposition,  and 


Vicksbu 


JacKson  /?./?. 


About  400  yds  From 

federal  Pits  to  Rebel 
Fort 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


43 


moved  on  tbe  road  to  Vicksburg.  Marched  at  .sunrise 
next  morning,  making  many  halts  during  the  day, 
passing  over  ridges  and  through  ravines  until  we  came 
quite  close  to  the  defenses  of  the  city,  when  balls 
and  shells  flew  about  pretty  freely,  and  passed  the 
night  in  a  ravine. 

Early  next  morning  Capt.  Norton  was  wounded  by  a 
spent  ball  in  the  breast.  Companies  were  sent  out 
from  the  38 rd  and  other  regiments  as  sharpshooters. 
At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  brigade  was 
moved  by  the  flank  across  the  railroad,  passing  at  one 
place  a  heavy  fire  of  grape,  canister  and  musketry. 
Capt.  Kellogg  of  Company  C  was  instantly  killed  by  a 
ball  through  the  head.  The  regiment  took  an  advance 
position  in  another  ravine,  where  it  remained  the  rest  of 
the  day,  that  night  and  the  next  day.  From  this  place 
several  companies  were  sent  out  through  the  winding 
ravines  close  up  to  the  works  to  act  as  sharpshooters,  fir 
ing  from  the  ridges  into  embrasures  of  the  fort,  and  ex 
changing  shots  with  the  sharpshooters  of  the  enemy. 
The  33rd  had  a  number  of  men  wounded  in  this  kind 
of  warfare,  and  Driscoll  and  Holland,  of  Company  D, 
were  killed. 

Friday,  May  22nd,  was  indeed  an  unlucky  day  tor  the 
33rd,  and  was  the  most  memorable  in  its  service.  The 
three  army  corps  were  by  this  time  close  up  to  the  de 
fenses ;  Sherman  with  his  right  on  the  river  above  the 
city ;  next  McPherson,  and  then  McClernand,  reaching 
toward  Warren  ton  on  the  river  below  as  far  as  his 
troops  would  extend  ;  and  all  was  ready  for  the  assault. 
Gen.  Grant  wrote  just  before  his  death:  "I  have  al 
ways  regretted  that  the  last  assault  at  Cold  Harbor  was 
ever  made.  I  might  say  the  same  thing  of  the  assault 
of  the  22nd  of  May,  1863,  at  Vicksburg." 

It  will  be  in  place  just  here  to  give  his  reasons  for 
the  assault,  as  they  will  also  graphically  describe  in  a 
few  sentences  what  the  army  had  accomplished  since  it 
crossed  the  river  on  May  1st:  "There  was  more  justifi 
cation  for  the  assault  at  Vicksburg.  We  were  in  a 
southern  climate  at  the  beginning  of  the  hot  season. 
The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had  won  five  successive 
victories  over  the  garrison  of  Vicksburg  in  the  three 
preceding  weeks.  They  had  driven  a  portion  of  that 
army  from  Port  Gibson  with  considerable  loss,  after 
having  flanked  them  out  of  their  stronghold  at  Grand 
Gulf.  They  had  attacked  another  portion  of  the  same 
army  at  Raymond,  more  than  fifty  miles  farther  in  the 
interior  of  the  state,  and  driven  them  back  in  to  Jack 
son  with  great  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  captured  and 
missing,  besides  a  loss  of  great  and  small  arms;  they 
had  captured  the  capital  of  the  state  of  Mississippi 
with  a  large  amount  of  material  and  manufactures. 
Only  a  few  days  before  they  had  beaten  the  enemy 
then  penned  up  in  the  town,  first  at  Champion's  Hill, 
then  at  Black  River  Bridge,  inflicting  upon  him  a  loss 
of  fifteen  thousand  or  more  men,  including  those  cut 
off'  from  returning,  besides  large  losses  in  arms  and 
ammunition.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had  come  to 
believe  they  could  beat  their  antagonist  under  any  cir 


cumstances ;  there  was  no  telling  how  long  a  regular 
siege  might  last. 

"As  I  have  stated,  it  was  the  beginning  of  the  hot 
season  in  a  southern  climate.  There  was  no  telling 
what  the  casualties  might  be  among  northern  troops, 
working  and  living  in  trenches,  drinking  surface  water 
filtered  through  rich  vegetation  in  a  tropical  sun.  If 
Vicksburg  could  have  been  carried  in  May,  it  would 
not  only  have  saved  the  army  the  risk  it  ran  of  greater 
danger  than  from  bullets  of  the  enemy,  but  it  would 
have  given  us  a  splendid  army,  well  equipped  and  effi 
cient,  to  operate  elsewhere  with.  These  are  the  reasons 
justifying  the  assault.  The  only  benefit  we  gained, 
and  it  was  a  slight  one  for  so  great  a  sacrifice,  was  that 
the  men  worked  cheerfully  in  the  trenches  after  that, 
being  satisfied  with  digging  the  enemy  out.  Had  the 
assault  not  been  made,  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  major 
ity  of  those  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  would 
have  believed  that  had  we  assaulted  it  would  have 
proved  successful  and  would  have  saved  life,  health 
and  comfort. " 

I  have  a  theory  in  regard  to  the  failure  of  this  assault 
which  I  have  the  termer ity  to  advance,  and  the  facts 
which  I  shall  state  in  support  of  it  are  well  known  to 
the  members  of  the  33rd.  I  speak  only  of  the  circum 
stances  of  the  assault  of  our  brigade. 

In  the  first  place,  the  general  commanding  the  bri 
gade  had  no  correct  knowledge  of  the  ground  over 
which  the  charge  was  to  be  made,  and  there  was  no 
proper  formation  of  the  troops  for  the  assault.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  the  brigade  was  strung  out  in  a 
tortuous  ravine  by  the  flank,  placing  an  immense  dis 
tance  between  the  head  and  rear  of  the  assaulting  col 
umn,  so  that  when  the  head  of  the  column  came  out  of 
the  ravine  upon  open  ground,  it  received  the  concen 
trated  fire  of  at  least  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  rifle  pits, 
trenches  and  forts,  and  of  course  melted  away  like  an 
icicle  shoved  into  a  hot  fire.  Four  men  abreast  had  al 
most  as  good  a  chance  of  taking  the  fort  we  went  at  as 
the  whole  brigade  in  that  formation. 

It  has  been  alleged,  that,  owing  to  the  difficult 
ground,  no  other  formation  was  possible.  We  know 
better ;  for,  on  the  day  before,  several  companies  ol"  the 
33rd  had  been  sent  through  different  ravines  close  up 
to  the  works  to  act  as  sharpshooters,  and  they  secured 
their  positions  without  loss.  I  spent  most  of  the  day 
of  the  21st,  and  all  that  night,  with  two  companies,  D 
and  E,  so  close  to  the  fort  that  we  assaulted  on  the 
22nd,  that  the  enemy  could  be  heard  talking  inside; 
and  as  late  as  nine  o'clock  on  the  22nd  we  were  taken 
away  from  that  position  to  join  the  regiment  in  an  as 
sault  at  a  point  much  more  distant,  difficult  and  dan 
gerous  in  every  particuar.  There  were  several  places 
nearer  the  fort,  in  the  shelter  of  the  ravines,  where  a 
half  if  not  a  whole  battalion  front  could  have  been 
formed.  We  might  have  had  to  make  a  dash  over  a 
ridge  or  two,  but  that  would  have  been  infinitely  safer 
than  to  be  destroyed  four  at  a  time,  coming  out  of  a 
hole  in  the  ground.  The  easiest  point  in  the  whole 


44 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


line  was  just  in  our  front,  and  it  only  required  a  break 
in  anywhere  to  make  (he  assault  everywhere  a  success. 

It  is  true  that  portions  of  our  division  reached  the 
forts  and  hung  on  the  outer  slopes  all  dny,  but  they 
straggled  there  rather  for  safety  than  trying  to  get  in. 
The  result  would  have  heen  far  different  had  they 
struck  them  with  some  force  and  organization.  It  is  my 
belief  that  if  our  brigade  had  been  formed  for  the  as 
sault  as  it  could  and  should  have  been,  and  with  a  little 
sense,  taken  with  the  great  courage  it  showed,  it  would 
have  gone  over  those  works  and  staid  over.  Anyway, 
it  looked  no  more  difficult  than  the  achievement  of  our 
second  brigade  five  days  before  at  Black  River  Bridge. 
But  I  must  abandon  speculation  upon  what  might  have 
been  done  for  an  account  of  what  was  done. 

An  assault  had  been  ordered  to  be  made  at  ten  o'clock 
all  along  the  line,  from  Sherman's  right  to  McCler- 
nand's  left,  some  thirteen  miles.  Our  brigade  was  to 
go  at  the  fort  on  the  right  of  the  railroad.  The  2nd  bri 
gade  was  assigned  to  the  fort  on  the  left. 

At  nine  o'clock  there  were  but  four  companies  present 
with  the  regiment.  Company  B  had  been  left  at  Black 
river  as  guard  for  captured  ordinance,  and  companies 
F,  H  and  K  were  detailed  as  sharpshooters  to  keep 
down  the  fire  of  the  fort,  and  did  good  service,  stream 
ing  rifle  balls  into  the  embrasures  the  day  long.  Com 
panies  D  and  E  returned  from  the  front  a  short  time 
before  the  time  set  for  the  charge  and  joined  the  others 
as  they  stood  waiting  in  the  ravine.  This  made  six 
companies  for  the  assault — A,  C,  D,  E,  G  and  I,  prob 
ably  less  than  two  hundred  and  forty  men. 

The  colonels  of  the  brigade  had  drawn  lots  for  the  hon 
or  of  leading  the  charge,  each  having  asked  the  favor. 
The  chance  fell  to  the  99th  Illinois,  the  83rd  next,  the 
8th  and  18th  Indiana  following  in  this  order.  Bayo 
nets  were  fixed  and  the  guns  were  without  loads. 

As  I  looked  down  the  line  I  saw  that  the  faces  of  the 
men  were  pale,  but  determined  ;  everyone  knew  what  was 
coming,  but  there  were  no  cases  of  sudden  illness  or 
important  engagements  to  meet  elsewhere.  Some  were 
exchanging  last  messages  for  home  and  giving  direc 
tions  for  the  disposal  of  their  simple  effects.  Others  at 
tempted  jokes  that  were  received  with  a  good  deal  of 
solemnity.  Graves,  of  Company  E,  looking  at  his 
watch,  said,  "Boys,  you  have  just  fifteen  minutes  to 
live."  Within  those  fifteen  minutes  Graves  was  killed. 
Brave  and  soldierly  Sergt.  Bird  said  to  me,  "Bury  me 
where  I  fall,"  a  request  I  sadly  complied  with  two 
days  later,  under  a  flag  of  truce. 

The  watches  of  the  commanding  officers  had  been  set 
by  that  of  Gen.  Grant,  and  as  they  marked  the  hour  of 
ten,  the  99th,  with  their  coats  off,  moved  up  the  ravine 
by  the  flank.  How  well  I  remember  the  colossal  figure 
of  the  brave  Col.  Bailey  as  he  strode  away  in  his  shirt 
sleeves  at  the  head  of  his  regiment. 

The  33rd  followed  close  on  the  heels  of  the  rear  com 
pany  of  the  99th  ;  the  other  regiments  came  after  as 
near  as  possible,  but  fatally  strung  out  in  the  distance. 
As  soon  as  the  first  company  of  the  leading  regiment 


came  out  of  the  head  of  the  ravine,  the  concentrated 
fire  from  the  fort  and  a  long  stretch  of  trenches  and 
rifle  pits  burst  upon  it  and  tore  it  to  pieces.  The  same 
fate  came  upon  the  other  companies  in  quick  succes 
sion.  The  wounded  came  crowding  back  upon  the  33rd 
that  was  winding  up  the  narrow  way.  This  spectacle, 
with  the  awful  roar  and  turmoil  just  ahead,  was  a 
frightful  indication  of  what  was  in  store  for  us. 

Company  P]  was  in  the  lead  of  our  regiment,  and  with 
it,  naturally,  were  Col.  Lippincott  and  Adjutant  Gove. 
When  it  came  to  the  head  of  the  ravine  there  was  found 
a  slight  embankment,  perhaps  three  feet  high,  and  just 
space  enough  to  form  company  front  along  it,  which 
was  done,  so  that  it  could  go  in  line  on  to  the  open 
ground.  Col.  Lippincott  ordered  Adjt.  Gove  to  remain 
at  this  place  to  give  the  direction  to  the  other  compa 
nies  as  they  came  up.  I  think  Gove  liked  this  job;  I 
know  I  should  have  been  pleased  with  it  myself. 

A  rod  or  two  from  the  head  of  the  ravine  there  was  a 
wagon  road  leading  into  Vicksburg;  balls  and  shells 
were  ripping  along  this  road  like  storm-driven  hail, 
and  our  way  was  straight  across  it.  At  the  word  Com 
pany  E  sprang  up  the  embankment  and  rushed  across 
the  road,  where  they  fell  flat,  to  await  the  coming  of  the 
other  companies;  but  it  was  too  hot  a  place  to  stay  and 
they  made  a  dash  for  the  fort.  In  a  moment  all  were 
down,  Col.  Lippincott  among  them.  Of  the  thirty  - 
two  men  and  officers  in  that  company,  eleven  were 
killed  and  all  the  rest  wounded  except  Lieut.  Pratt,  who 
kept  right  on  to  the  ditch  of  the  fort.  Finding  him 
self  alone,  he  hurried  back  a  few  rods  to  a  slight  de 
pression  where  those  of  the  company  who  were  alive 
had  taken  shelter.  His  escape  was  unaccountable. 
Over  the  same  ground  which  Pratt  had  gone  the  color 
sergeant  of  the  99th  Illinois  had  charged  a  few  moments 
before.  He  went  into  the  ditch,  over  the  parapet,  and 
into  the  fort  alone  and  unhurt  with  the  flag  of  his  regi 
ment.  I  have  forgotten  the  name  of  this  brave  soldier, 
but  an  account  of  this  feat  can  be  seen  in  the  A.  G.  Re 
ports  of  Illinois  for  18(il  and  1865. 

The  other  companies  of  the  regiment,  on  coming  out 
of  the  ravine,  lost  sight  of  the  leading  company,  which 
had  been  wiped  out  of  existence,  mistook  the  direction, 
and  went  toward  the  fort  on  the  other  side  of  the  rail 
road,  most  of  them  joining  the  2nd  brigade.  In  cross 
ing  the  railroad  track,  nearly  every  man  was  thrown  to 
the  ground  by  the  telegraph  wire,  which  was  down. 
Those  in  the  rear  thought  every  man  who  fell  was 
killed,  and  it  must  have  taken  some  nerve  to  cross  what 
seemed  an  absolutely  fatal  spot. 

The  33rd  was  practically  destroyed  for  the  time  as  a 
regimental  organization.  Some  of  the  men  were  about 
one  fort,  some  at  the  other,  where  they  were  in  the 
ditches  and  on  the  outer  slopes,  with  other  regiments 
more  or  less  disorganized.  They  remained  there  until 
nightfall,  firing  their  guns  over  the  parapet  by  holding 
them  over  their  heads,  depressing  the  muzzle  and  pull 
ing  the  trigger  with  the  thumb.  The  enemy  lighted 
shells  and  threw  them  over  the  parapet  into  the  ditoh, 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


45 


where  they  were  snatched  up  and  thrown  back.  It  was 
a  mere  matter  of  chance  on  which  side  they  would  ex 
plode.  Lieut.  Frank  Adams  of  Co.  K,  who  was  then 
on  Benton's  stuff,  greatly  distinguished  himself  in  this 
shell  tossing. 

The  national  colors  were  carried  by  Sergt.  Willis  of  Co. 
A,  until  he  was  wounded ;  they  were  then  taken  by 
Corporal  Samuel  Shaw  of  Co.  C,  who  gallantly  carried 
them  the  rest  of  the  day.  In  crossing  the  railroad  the 
corporal  carrying  the  state  banner  fell  wounded.  It 
was  picked  up  by  Lieut.  Lewis,  when  Corporal  Cor 
nelius  DuBois  of  Co.  C  took  it  from  his  hands,  saying, 
"Lieutenant,  I'll  carry  this  flag, "  and  he  did  bravely 
carry  it  through  all  the  battle. 

Col.  Lippincott  was  slightly  wounded,  Lieut.  Col. 
Roe  severely.  Lieuts.  Button  and  Fyffe  were  both 
wounded,  also  Lieut.  Lewis.  Lieut.  Kenney  of  Co.  I 
was  badly  wounded  in  the  hip  and  is  a  cripple  to  this 
day.  Parmenas  Hills  of  Co.  E,  on  being  carried  from 
the  field  with  only  one  leg,  said  to  the  stretcher  bearers, 
"Now  I  can  go  home  and  make  stump  speeches.  "  The 
splendid  young  fellow  died  a  short  time  after. 

C.  D.  Morris  of  the  same  company  writes:  "George 
Kendall  and  I  went  back  on  the  hill  with  a  stretcher 
and  brought  oft'  poor  Billy  Burlingame,  and  here  Ken 
dall  saved  my  life  as  well  as  his  own  by  throwing  over 
the  embankment  a  12-lb.  fuse  shell  that  came  rolling 
toward  us  with  the  fuse  sputtering  and  singing.  We 
could  not  get  away  from  it,  and  his  pluck  and  presence 
of  mind  carried  it  over  the  bank,  where  it  exploded 
not  ten  feet  from  his  hands." 

From  the  data  I  have  I  am  not  able  to  give  a  complete 
list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  in  the  regiment  on  that 
day,  and  must  refer  the  matter  to  the  rosters.  During 
the  night  what  was  left  of  the  scattered  regiment  moved 
back  to  about  where  we  started  on  the  20th,  and  this 
was  our  location  during  the  siege. 

At  3  p.  m.  on  the  25th  we  buried  our  dead  under  a 
flag  of  truce.  This  duty  was  too  dreadful  and  grue 
some  for  description.  We  found  two  men  of  Company 
D  still  alive,  Ross  and  Scantlin  ;  one  with  a  leg  shot  off, 
the  other  an  arm.  They  had  lain  all  this  time,  by  day 
in  the  hot  sun  with  the  balls  and  shells  going  close  over 
them  every  minute  of  the  time.  They  had  lived  by 
taking  water  from  the  canteens  and  food  from  the  hav 
ersacks  of  their  dead  comrades.  Their  wounds  were  in 
too  horrible  condition  to  mention.  Poor  fellows  !  They 
both  died  a  few  days  after. 

Our  situation  during  the  siege  was  just  in  front  of 
two  of  our  own  siege  guns  which  fired  directly  over  us, 
and  from  which,  by  the  premature  explosion  of  their 
shells,  we  suffered  a  great  deal  more  than  from  the 
shots  of  the  enemy.  There  was  scarcely  a  day  that  a 
casualty  did  not  happen  in  the  regiment  on  account  of 
them.  The  strain  of  the  ever-present  danger  from  this 
source  did  more  to  pull  the  regiment  down  than  all  the 
digging  by  night  and  day  and  all  the  balls  and  shells  of 
the  Confederates. 

It  would  be  but  repetition  to  describe  from  day  to  day 


the  service  and  experience  of  the  33rd  during  the  long 
siege.  It  was  quite  like  that  of  all  the  regiments  on 
that  extended  line— sharpshooting  by  day  and  picket 
duty  by  night,  and  digging  in  approaches  and  parallels 
all  the  time,  while  from  dawn  to  dark  balls  and  shells 
were  going  over  us  continually  from  both  ways.  Occa 
sionally  the  regiment  was  sent  back  a  mile  or  so  for  a 
day  to  rest  and  clean  up.  The  water  was  bad  and  hard  to 
get,  and  brought  on  a  camp  trouble  for  which  most  for 
tunately  the  abundant  blackberries  on  the  near-by  hills 
were  almost  a  specific. 

As  early  as  June  3rd  reinforcements  began  to  come, 
and  on  the  14th  two  divisions  of  Burnside's  Corps  ar 
rived,  increasing  the  army  to  more  .than  70,000  men. 
With  the  reinforcements  Grant  was  able  to  close  the 
gap  between  the  left  of  the  13th  Corps  and  Warrenton, 
and  with  the  gunboats  on  the  river  had  Vicksburg  se 
curely  invested.  Half  of  the  whole  force  was  stretched 
from  Haines  Bluff  to  the  Big  Black,  and  farther  south 
to  keep  Johnston  at  bay,  who  had  gathered  an  army 
and  was  threatening  the  rear. 

On  June  17th  McClernand  was  relieved  from  his  com 
mand  for  the  publication  of  a  fulsome  congratulatory 
order  to  the  13th  Corps,  in  which  it  was  thought  injus 
tice  was  done  the  other  troops  engaged  in  the  cam 
paign.  Gen.  E.  O.  C.  Ord  was  given  command  of  the 
Corps. 

Before  the  surrender  the  pickets  of  both  armies  be 
came  quite  friendly,  conversing  together  at  night,  the 
Confederates  exchanging  tobacco  for  hard  bread  and 
other  commodities  of  which  they  were  in  great  need, 
and  sometimes  obligingly  withdrawing  to  allow  our 
men  to  extend  their  trenches. 

By  July  1st  the  approaches  were  up  to  the  defenses, 
and  Gen.  Grant  had  ordered  preparations  to  be  made  for 
another  assault  on  the  (>th.  At  ten  o'clock  on  the.  morn 
ing  of  the  3rd  white  flags  were  seen  on  the  enemy's 
works,  and  two  Confederate  officers  came  out  bearing  a 
proposition  for  an  armistice  to  arrange  terms  for  the 
capitulation  of  Vicksburg,  and  for  the  appointment  of 
commissioners  to  arrange  terms.  This  proposition  was 
promptly  rejected,  Grant  insisting  upon  his  usual  con 
ditions  of  "unconditional  surrender".  In  the  after 
noon  Pemberton  himself  came  out  to  try  and  secure  bet 
ter  conditions,  but  failed.  However,  Gen.  Grant  agreed 
to  send  him  a  letter  in  the  evening  containing  final 
terms. 

Just  here  an  incident  took  place  which  describes  the 
absolute  self-reliance  of  the  man.  He  wrote  this  let 
ter  and  then  summoned  all  his  corps  and  division  com 
manders  and  submitted  it  to  them  and  asked  for  their 
suggestions.  Their  unanimous  judgment  was  against 
it.  Nevertheless  he  sent  the  letter  just  as  he  had 
written  it.  The  grim  humor  of  it  appears  when  he 
says,  "This  was  the  nearest  approach  to  a 'council  of 
war'  I  ever  held." 

Grant's  terms  were  accepted.  31,000  prisoners  were 
surrendered,  together  with  172  cannon,  about  60,000 
muskets,  and  a  large  amount  of  ammunition.  The 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


next  day  the  Confederate  army  came  out  of  their 
works,  stacked  arms  and  flags,  while  the  Union  sol 
diers,  worn  and  soiled  from  their  long  burrowing, 
thronged  their  own  intrenehinents  and  looked  quietlj' 
but  triumphantly  on.  This  was  the  answer  to  the  cry, 
north  and  south,  "Vicksburg  will  never  be  taken", 
and  so  ended  this  great  campaign,  a  campaign  which 
for  daring,  genius  and  success,  had  no  equal  in  the 
Civil  War,  or  any  other  war. 

When  Grant  crossed  the  river  below  Vicksburg  he 
threw  his  army,  without  change  of  help,  into  the  midst 
of  his  enemies.  There  was  no  escape  but  in  victory. 


Warned  and  dissuaded  by  his  most  trusted  officers,  re 
called  by  the  authorities  at  Washington,  yet  he  pressed 
on,  striking  blow  after  blow,  winning  victory  after  vic 
tory,  guided  only  by  his  own  transcendent  genius, 
and  sustained  by  his  indomitable  courage.  At  last  he 
stood  with  Sherman  on  Haines  Bluff  with  Vicksburg 
safe  in  his  grasp.  Here  his  trusted  Lieutenant  turned 
to  him  and  said,  "Up  to  this  moment  1  felt  no  assur 
ance  of  success.  This  is  the  end  of  one  of  the  great 
est  campaigns  in  history."  The  soldiers  of  the  Thirty- 
Third  Illinois  Volunteers  could  have  no  better  inherit 
ance  than  to  have  had  some  part  in  it. 


CHAPTER  X. 
THE  JACKSON  CAMPAIGN. 


Almost  as  soon  as  negotiations  were  opened  with 
Pemberton  for  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  Sherman 
was  ordered  to  make  preparations  to  turn  against  John 
ston,  with  the  9th,  13th  and  loth  corps.  Without  a 
chance  to  see  the  city  which  for  six  weeks  we  had  been 
trying  to  enter,  both  above  and  below  ground,  the  33rd 
was  faced  about,  and  at  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  July 
oth  started  toward  Jackson  and  made  a  march  of  ten 
miles  to  Black  river,  over  dusty  roads  and  in  the  scorch 
ing  heat.  The  men,  worn  down  by  the  hard  work  and 
strain  of  the  long  siege,  found  this  march  doubly  hard, 
and  many  of  them  were  forced  to  seek  the  shade  by  the 
roadside.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  Gth,  crossed  the  river 
on  a  Moating  bridge,  moved  through  the  works  captured 
by  our  division  on  May  17th  and  camped  in  a  grassy 
field.  On  the  next  day  passed  over  the  battlefield  of 
Champion's  Hill  among  the  new-made  graves  and  where 
the  trees  had  been  scored  and  splintered  by  shot  and 
shell,  all  telling  of  the  desperate  conflict  which  had 
taken  place  there  a  few  weeks  before.  Went  into  camp  a 
few  miles  beyond  and  spent  the  night  in  a  heavy  rain 
without  shelter.  Moved  at  5  p.  m.  next  day,  the  2nd 
brigade  leading,  and  marched  until  eleven  and  biv 
ouacked  in  a  cornfield.  The  day  after,  passed  through 
Clinton  and  went  into  line  of  battle  a  short  distance 
beyond,  and  remained  there  until  next  morning,  the 
enemy  falling  back  before  the  troops  in  front  of  us. 

On  the  10th  arrived  near  Jackson  and  formed  line  of 
battle  at  dark,  a  few  shells  going  over  us.  Next  day 
our  command  was  moved  well  around  the  left  flank  of 
the  Confederate  line,  and  the  following  morning  closed 
in  to  within  gunshot  of  the  rebel  works,  under  a  sharp 
fire  of  artillery  and  musketry. 

At  daybreak  on  the  13th  Companies  C  and  F  were 
sent  forward  to  relieve  the  pickets,  and  advanced  some 
distance  beyond  the  picket  line,  but  were  quickly 
driven  back  by  a  sharp  fusilade  from  the  enemy's  in- 
trenchments.  The  33rd  was  deployed  well  to  the  front 


and  the  rebel  artillery  pruned  the  trees  over  our  heads 
the  day  long,  but  their  musketry  was  more  effective. 
Sergeant  Cannon  of  Company  K  was  killed  ;  Pearce  of 
A  was  mortally  wounded  ;  Levick,  Fifer  and  Bishop  of 
C  were  wounded.  Fifer  was  shot  in  the  side  and 
Bishop  through  the  face;  both  were  supposed  to  be  fa 
tally  hurt.  They  probably  owe  their  lives  to  Lieut. 
George  Fifer,  who  made  a  hurried  trip  to  Vicksburg, 
forty  miles  away,  for  .ice.  It  was  their  salvation  in 
that  fearful  heat.  Bishop  lived  to  become  sheriff  of 
McLean  county,  and  I  need  not  state  that  Fifer  was 
the  "Private  Joe"  who  became  Governor  of  Illinois. 
A  number  of  others  were  wounded  on  that  day,  whose 
names  I  do  not  recall. 

Our  experience  was  about  the  same  for  the  next  three 
days,  but  our  casualties  were  not  so  great.  The  regi 
ment  was  engaged  in  hot  skirmishing,  the  men  lying 
on  their  arms  at  night  in  expectation  of  a  sally. 

On  the  night  of  the  Kith  the  33rd  was  detailed  for 
picket  duty.  I  was  assisting  Capt.  Geo.  E.  Smith  of 
Co.  H  in  placing  the  outposts  close  to  the  rebel  works. 
On  returning  in  the  dark  we  got  outside  our  line  and 
approached  one  of  our  pickets,  who,  without  warning, 
fired  point  blank  at  Smith,  who  was  but  a  few  feet 
away,  barely  missing  him.  I  don't  think  Capt.  Smith 
realized  the  expense  of  the  monument  that  would  have 
been  erected  to  his  memory  had  that  picket  taken 
better  aim,  as  he  did  not  seem  to  mind  it.  On  this 
evening  a  Confederate  band  inside  their  works  favored 
us  with  several  pieces  of  music,  "My  Maryland", 
"Dixie"  and  others.  It  was  equally  applauded  by  both 
armies.  Our  boys  called  for  "Yankee  Doodle"  and  the 
"Star  Spangled  Banner",  but  it  was  not  responded  to. 

At  daybreak  next  morning  it  was  found  that  Jackson 
had  been  evacuated  during  the  night  and  the  33rd 
marched  in  and  took  possession  of  the  works  in  our 
front  and  remained  there  during  the  day.  No  pursuit 
of  the  retreating  enemy  was  made  except  by  Steel.e's 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


47 


division,  which  followed  fourteen  miles  east  to  Brandon. 
On  the  18th  we  were  moved  to  the  New  Orleans  railroad 
and  began  tearing  up  the  track,  burning  the  ties  and 
twisting  the  rails.  This  was  new  work  for  the  men 
and  they  seemed  to  enjoy  it.  The  process  was  to  string 
the  men  as  close  as  they  could  stand  for  a  long  distance 
along  the  track,  then  all  would  take  hold  and  throw  the 
track  completely  over,  detach  and  pile  the  ties  and 
place  the  rails  across  them  and  set  them  on  fire.  The 
heat  in  the  middle  of  the  rail  soon  bent  it.  This  work 
was  continued  ten  miles  sdutb  to  Byram  Station.  It 
was  observed  that  on  the  second  day  of  this  job  the 
men  worked  with  unusual  energy  and  cheerfulness. 
The  track  was  ripped  up  as  if  by  a  cyclone.  Songs  and 
cheers  were  heard  through  all  the  brigade.  The  ex 
planation  was  that  about  fifty  barrels  of  rum  had  been 
found  which  had  been  hidden  from  the  Confederates. 
Of  course  the  barrels  were  at  once  destroyed  and  the 
odor  of  the  rum  spread  everywhere,  which,  being  in 
haled  by  the  men  breathing  hard  at  their  work,  set  the 
whole  command  fairly  wild.  Strange  to  say  that  odor 
hung  about  many  of  the  canteens  for  several  days. 
After  Johnston's  retreat  Sherman  was  recalled  to 
Vicksburg,  and  on  the  20th  we  set  out  upon  the  return 
trip,  this  time  with  no  enemy  in  front.  As  we  had 
been  over  this  road  twice  before  it  would  be  monotonous 
to  describe  each  day's  march.  We  reached  our  old  quar 
ters  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  on  the  24th,  gathered  our 
belongings  which  had  been  left  there,  and  were  started 
for  a  camp  on  the  river  below  the  city.  The  distance 


was  but  three  miles,  but  through  the  blundering  of  a 
stupid  officer  who  had  been  sent  to  show  the  way  we 
were  taken  a  useless  detour  of  ten  miles  on  that  scorch 
ing  day.  If  that  stupid  fellow  is  still  alive  he  no  doubt 
remembers  the  estimate  of  his  intelligence  which  the 
33rd  expressed  with  the  utmost  frankness. 

Since  the  first  of  May,  almost  four  months,  the  regi 
ment  had  been  marching,  fighting,  skirmishing  and 
digging  almost  every  day,  and  we  were  now  to  go  into 
camp  for  a  rest.  As  senior  captain  I  had  been  in  com 
mand  of  the  regiment  nearly  all  the  time  on  the  Jack 
son  trip,  Col.  Lippincott  and  Major  Potter  being  absent 
on  account  of  illness,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Roe  had  resigned. 

The  33rd  remained  in  this  location  on  the  river  from 
July  24th  to  August  18th,  inclusive,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Ira  Moore,  senior  officer  present.  A  large  pro 
portion  of  the  officers  and  men  received  furloughs  and 
went  north  ;  those  who  remained  experienced  only  the 
ordinary  duties  of  camp  life. 

Grant's  army  was  now  broken  up,  the  reinforcements 
he  had  received  being  returned  to  their  respective  de 
partments.  On  July  20th  the  divisions  of  Carr  and 
Osterhaus  Avere  consolidated  and  became  the  1st  Divi 
sion,  13th  Army  Corps,  Major  Gen.  C.  C.  Washburn 
commanding. 

Sometime  during  the  stay  of  the  33rd  in  this  camp, 
the  exact  date  I  am  not  able  to  give,  it  was  presented 
with  another  stand  of  colors  by  a  delegation  from  the 
teachers  of  the  Chicago  schools,  our  worn-out  colors 
being  returned  to  them  by  this  delegation. 


CHAPTER  XL 
THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF. 


On  the  7th  of  August  the  13th  Corps,  General  Ord  in 
command,  was  ordered  to  New  Orleans,  and  on  the 
19th  the  33rd  embarked  on  the  steamer  Gladiator  and 
headed  down  the  river.  The  passage  by  Grand  Gulf 
was  much  easier  than  on  the  30th  of  April  before,  and 
we  looked  with  no  little  interest  on  the  bluff's  that  had 
been  so  formidable  to  the  gunboats.  Arrived  at  Natche/ 
during  the  night  and  left  at  daylight,  passed  the 
fortifications  of  Port  Hudson  at  noon,  had  only  a  river 
view  of  Baton  Kouge,  and  the  morning  of  the  21st 
found  us  at  Carrollton,  some  seven  miles  above  the  city 
of  New  Orleans. 

The  regiment  disembarked  at  7  a.  m.  and  found  itself 
at  once  surrounded  by  the  most  persistent  enemy  it  had 
yet  encountered.  Hordes  of  men,  women  and  children 
swarmed  about  it,  eagerly  offering  for  sale,  in  almost 
every  language,  everything  eatable  that  could  be  carried 
in  a  cart  or  basket — fish,  fruit,  cakes  and  pies.  The 
prices  were  so  reasonable  that  it  was  not  many  minutes 
until  every  man  had  a  banana  in  one  hand  and  a  piece 


of  pie  in  the  other.  It  was  the  first  time  that  the  33rd 
had  had  a  fair  chance  at  pie  for  two  years.  Moved  out 
on  the  "shell  road"  for  a  mile  and  went  into  a  beauti 
ful  camp  near  the  2nd,  3rd  and  4th  brigades  of  our  di 
vision  ;  the  other  regiments  of  the  1st  brigade  had  not 
arrived. 

The  8th  and  18th  Indiana  came  in  the  afternoon. 
The  "Hoosiers"  had  not  been  in  a  fight  of  any  kind 
for  some  weeks,  and  they  had  scarcely  landed,  when, 
to  keep  in  practice,  they  assaulted  some  eastern  regi 
ments  that  were  in  camp  close  by.  The  "Pilgrims", 
as  the  eastern .  troops  were  called  by  the  westerners, 
were  badly  worsted,  and  the  Indianians  were  closely 
confined  in  camp.  This  was  the  first  time  we  had 
come  in  contact  with  troops  from  the  East,  and  quite  a 
difference  could  be  observed  in  the  "morale."  The 
regiments  from  the  Atlantic  coast  were  under  better 
discipline;  they  wore  more  feathers  and  less  dust  than 
those  from  the  West,  and  there  was  not  that  friendly 
association  between  men  and  officers  that  existed  in  the 


48 


GENERAL  HISTOR  Y. 


troops  that  had  just  come  down  the  river;  and  there 
seemed  to  be  absent  that  lawless  enterprise  of  the  sol 
dier  who  showed  Logan  how  to  win  the  battle  of  Ray 
mond.  In  a  word,  there  was  as  much  difference  in 
their  style  and  make-up  as  there  was  between  Grant 
and  McCIellan,  or  Sherman  and  Banks ;  but  when  it 
came  to  the  battlefield  the  troops  from  both  sections 
showed  themselves  equally  good.  Afterward,  these  same 
"Hoosiers"  and  "Pilgrims"  who  had  the  row  at  Car- 
rollton,  proved  this  side  by  side  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  under  Sheridan. 

On  the  22nd,  the  13th  Corps  was  reviewed  by  Gen. 
Banks.  From  this  date  until  Sept.  4th  the  regiment 
passed  the  time  most  agreeably.  Every  day  relays  of 
officers  and  men  visited  the  city  and  surrounding  places. 
The  sight-seeing  was  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  young 
fellows  who  had  not  before  been  far  from  the  cornfields 
of  Illinois.  The  "French  Quarter"  was  to  them  an 
other  civilization,  if  it  could  be  called  a  civilization. 
The  magnificent  Canal  street  was  thronged  every  day  by 
the  western  soldiers.  Everybody  went  to  see  the  statue 
of  Henry  Clay,  to  drink  coffee  at  the  French  Market, 
to  visit  the  slave  auction  room  under  the  St.  Charles 
Hotel,  Jackson  battle  ground,  and  Lake  Pontchartrain. 
The  33rd  had  no  more  jolly  days  than  these.  On  Sept. 
4th  the  13th  Corps  was  reviewed  by  Generals  Grant  and 
Banks.  It  was  a  fine  military  spectacle;  both  generals 
were  splendid  horsemen,  were  well  mounted,  and  fre- 
quently  rode  at  top  speed.  Grant  was  cheered  to  the 
echo  by  his  Vicksburg  soldiers.  On  bis  return  to  the 
city,  the  horse  he  was  riding  shied  at  a  locomotive  and 
fell  upon  him,  severely  injuring  his  leg.  He  was  car 
ried  to  a  hotel  insensible,  and  remained  in  bed  for  a 
week  unable  to  move,  and  was  taken  to  a  boat  on  a  lit 
ter.  Gen.  Grant  was  on  crutches  from  this  accident 
until  the  battles  about  Chattanooga. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Sept.  4th  our  force  was  taken 
across  the  river  and  landed  at  Algiers,  preparatory  to 
another  "fool  expedition"  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river.  This  movement  was  quite  formidable,  being 
composed  of  the  13th  and  19th  Corps.  There  was  no 
place  to  go  to  of  any  importance,  or  foe  to  go  after  that 
amounted  to  anything,  and  it  deserved  to  rank  in  use- 
lessness  and  stupidity  with  the  campaign  we  had  made 
in  Missouri  the  winter  before.  A  few  words  about  it 
may  be  in  place  here,  and  the  statements  I  shall  make 
will  be,  for  the  most  part,  a  reproduction  of  those  Gen. 
Grant  made  in  regard  to  it. 

Immediately  after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  Grant  sug 
gested  to  Halleck,  then  General-in-Chief,  "the  idea  of 
a  campaign  against  Mobile,  starting  from  Lake  Pont 
chartrain.  " 

"Halleck  preferred  another  course.  The  possession 
of  the  trans-Mississippi  by  the  Union  forces  seemed  of 
more  importance  in  his  mind  than  almost  any  cam 
paign  east  of  the  Mississppi.  I  am  well  aware  that  the 
President  was  very  anxious  to  have  a  foothold  in  Texas 
to  stop  the  clamor  of  some  of  the  foreign  governments 
which  seemed  to  be  seeking  a  pretext  to  interfere  in 


the  war.  This,  however,  could  easily  have  been  done 
without  wasting  troops  in  Western  Louisiana  and  East 
ern  Texas,  by  sending  a  garrison  at  once  to  Browns 
ville  on  the  Rio  Grande.  It  would  have  been  an  easy 
thing  to  capture  Mobile  at  the  time  I  proposed  to  go 
there.  Having  that  as  a  base  of  operations,  troops 
could  have  been  thrown  into  the  interior  to  operate 
against  Gen.  Bragg's  army.  This  would  necessarily 
compel  Bragg  to  detach  in  order  to  meet  this  fire  in  the 
rear.  If  he  had  not  done  this,  the  troops  from  Mobile 
could  have  inflicted  inestimable  damage  upon  much  of 
the  country  from  which  his  army  and  Lee's  were  yet  re 
ceiving  their  supplies. 

"The  General -in-Chief  having  decided  against  me, 
the  depletion  of  the  army,  which  had  won  a  succession 
of  great  victories,  commenced,  as  had  been  the  year 
before  after  the  fall  of  Corinth,  when  the  army  was 
sent  where  it  would  do  the  least  good." 

I  wish  to  say  it  somewhere  in  these  pages,  and  this 
seems  a  good  place,  that  two  of  the  greatest  disasters 
that  ever  came  upon  this  country  were  the  births  of 
Halleck  and  McCIellan. 

As  I  have  before  stated,  speculation  is  useless ;  how 
ever,  there  is  great  pleasure  in  it,  and  it  is  quite  with 
in  the  realm  of  probabilty,  it  even  approaches  a  dead 
certainty,  that  if  Grant  had  been  given  his  way  he 
would  have  been  right  on  top  of  Bragg  by  way  of  Mo 
bile  with  the  army  that  operated  about  Vicksburg,  to 
gether  with  all  the  available  troops  in  the  Department 
of  the  Gulf,  before  the  disastrous  battle  of  Chickamauga 
was  fought,  when  the  Union  forces  lost  16,000  men  in 
killed,  wounded  and  captured.  It  is  likely  that  the 
battles  about  Chattanooga  would  not  have  taken  place, 
nor  would  Sherman  have  had  to  fight  every  mile  of  the 
way  from  there  to  Atlanta,  and  it  is  also  likely  that 
Lee  would  have  surrendered  earlier,  and  at  some  other 
place  than  Appomattox.  On  the  very  day  when  the 
13th  and  19th  Corps  were  being  sent  "where  they  would 
do  the  least  good",  and  when  Grant  was  lying  helpless 
in  his  bed  at  New  Orleans,  Halleck  telegraphed  him  to 
send  all  available  troops  with  all  possible  speed  to  the 
rescue  of  Rosecraiis.  Unfortunately,  we  were  too  far 
away  to  be  "available  troops,"  and  these  two  fine  army 
corps  continued  on  their  way  through  the  bayous  and 
swamps  of  Louisiana  in  quest  of  "wild  geese",  with 
not  an  enemy  more  formidable  than  an  alligator  within 
hundreds  of  miles. 

I  do  not  see  how  this  force,  except  the  detachment 
that  was  sent  to  Sherman  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
was  of  any  further  service  in  putting  down  the  rebel 
lion.  It  is  true  we  afterward  captured  the  little  hen 
coop  of  a  fort,  Fort  Esperan/a,  on  Matagorda  Island  in 
Texas,  but  the  garrison  all  escaped  in  a  two-horse 
wagon,  and  they  would  have  been  perfectly  harmless 
had  we  left  them  where  they  were.  We  also  assisted  in 
the  capture  of  Mobile,  but  like  the  battle  of  New  Or 
leans  in  1K12,  it  was  after  the  war  was  over. 

In  the  evening  of  Sept.  4th  the  .'53rd  started  by  rail 
for  Brashear  City,  eighty-four  miles  west.  We  had 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


49 


little  opportunity  to  observe  the  country  we  passed 
through  that  night,  but  we  had  a  fine  chance  the  next 
summer,  when  we  guarded  the  road  we  now  passed  over 
for  many  months.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  we  were 
unloaded  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  about;  seven  miles  from 
Brashear,  and  went  into  camp.  This  bayou  was  a  deep 
and  sluggish  stream,  coming  in  from  the  gulf.  The 
water  was  salt  and  brackish,  unfit  for  use,  and  the  men 
at  once  set  to  work  digging  wells,  finding  water  but 
little  better.  It  was  here  that  we  first  made  acquain 
tance  with  alligators,  and  on  the  next  summer  were  on 
the  most  friendly  terms  with  them,  so  much  so  that  a 
number  of  young  saurians  were  pets  in  the  regiment. 
Occasionally  a  porpoise  could  be  seen  coming  up  the 
inlet  from  the  sea.  His  leaps  and  plunges  were  not 
unlike  that  of  a  buffalo  lumbering  across  a  prairie. 
We  stayed  at  this  place  until  the  e;irly  morning  of  the 
llth,  when  we  marched  to  Brashear  City,  arriving  at 
9  a.  m.,  and  camped  near  Berwick  Bay.  This  bay  ex 
tends  forty  miles  to  the  gulf,  and  is  navigable  for 
steam  and  sailing  vessels. 

The  time  was  passed  with  drills  and  the  usual  camp 
routine  until  the  25th,  when  we  were  taken  across  the 
bay  on  the  steamer  X.  W.  Thomas  to  Berwick.  On 
the  27th  Gen.  Ord,  our  corps  commander,  arrived  and 
reviewed  the  troops.  For  some  days  the  men  suffered 
not  a  little  from  cold  and  continuous  rains,  having 
only  the  slight  protection  of  "dog  tents".  Oct.  3rd  our 
division  and  the  3rd  division  moved  up  the  Teche  about 
sixteen  miles,  having  been  preceded  by  the  19th  Corps. 

We  were  now  in  a  beautiful  country,  filled  with 
fine  sugar  plantations.  The  Teche  district  is  very 
like  an  Illinois  prairie,  and  was  peopled  largely  by 
Creole  French,  the  descendants  of  the  Acadians  who 
were  driven  from  Grand  Pre  in  Nova  Scotia,  and 
whose  trials  have  been  described  by  Longfellow  in 
"Evangeline".  The  negroes,  however,  were  most 
numerous,  and  it  was  curious  to  hear  them  speaking 
French.  I  remember  seeing  a  negro  with  bright  red 
hair,  which,  taken  with  his  Hibernian  cast  of  counte 
nance,  led  me  to  think  his  ancestors  were  from  Ireland 
instead  of  Africa. 

Our  course  was  that  taken  by  "Evangeline"  in  her 
quest  after  Gabriel :  "Slowly  they  entered  the  Teche 
where  it  flows  through  the  green  Opelousas. "  "On  the 
banks  of  the  Teche  are  the  towns  of  St.  Maur  and  St. 
Martin."  I  attended  church  one  Sunday  morning  at 
St.  Martin's  and  wondered  if  it  was  the  same  "rural 
chapel"  where  "Evangeline  knelt  in  her  devotions". 
I  made  many  inquiries  about  Evangeline,  but  none  of 
the  Acadians  knew  her  story,  or  anything  of  their  own 
history. 

On  the  4th  moved  fifteen  miles  and  within  sight  of 
the  beautiful  little  town  of  Franklin.  It  was  in  this 
town  Capt.  Pope  was  assassinated  a  short  time  after 
the  war.  Next  day  made  an  easy  march  of  twelve 
miles  and  had  a  delightful  grassy  camp  on  the  banks 
of  the  Teche,  and  on  the  following  day  moved  ten 
miles  through  a  prairie  region  with  large  sugar  planta 


tions  having  fine  houses,  and  camped  within  four 
miles  of  New  Iberia.  Remained  in  this  place  on  the 
7th,  and  notwithstanding  the  strictest  orders  against 
it,  not  less  than  half  of  the  regiment  was  out  foraging. 
Beef,  hogs,  geese,  turkeys,  chickens  and  sweet  potatoes 
were  brought  in  by  the  wagon  load.  Jt  was  market 
day  fo"r  the  33rd.  It  was  supposed  we  would  stay  in 
this  camp  for  some  time,  but  the  next  day  in  the  af 
ternoon,  while  on  battalion  drill,  orders  were  received 
to  march  at  once.  Within  a  few  minutes  feathers  were 
flying  everywhere,  and  it  is  likely  that  more  poultry 
was  dressed  in  the  next  hour  than  had  ever  been  done 
before  in  the  same  time  and  in  one  place.  Besides  fill 
ing  the  wagons,  there  were  few  men  who  were  not 
carrying  a  goose,  turkey  or  chicken. 

While  passing  through  New  Iberia  the  brigade  was 
taken  with  one  of  those  freaks  of  howling  and  yelling 
which  often  came  upon  it,  and  kept  it  up  at  such  a 
rate  that  the  natives  were  frightened  well  nigh  out 
of  their  senses.  \Ve  camped  that  night  in  the  darkness 
again  on  the  banks  of  the  bayou.  On  the  9th  moved 
ten  miles,  passing  through  St.  Martinville.  In  front  of 
every  house  was  a  long  cane  pole  bearing  a  French  flag, 
a  sign  of  neutrality.  We  were  quite  well  informed  in 
regard  to  the  attitude  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon  toward 
our  government,  and  the  flags  were  greeted  with  all 
manner  of  jibes  and  jeers.  The  Major  of  the  33rd  cut 
down  a  number  of  them  with  his  sword,  and  came 
very  near  getting  into  serious  trouble  about  it,  as  com 
plaint  was  made  to  the  French  Consulate  in  New  Or 
leans,  but  fortunately  for  him  he  could  not  be  identi 
fied  as  the  officer  who  outraged  the  symbol  of  French 
neutrality. 

Advanced  ten  miles  next  day  and  camped  in  a  grassy 
wood  near  Vermillionville.  We  were  quite  startled  by 
seeing  the  mark  of  a  shell  on  a  tree  where  the  artillery 
of  the  19th  Corps  had  "shelled  the  woods"  the  day  be 
fore.  It  was  the  first  sign  of  war  we  had  seen  since 
leaving  Vicksburg.  Remained  in  this  camp  until  the 
20th,  being  exercised  in  brigade  and  battalion  drill. 
While  here  our  brigade  was  surrounded  by  a  chain 
guard,  detailed  trom  another  command  to  prevent  for 
aging.  In  addition  there  was  roll  call  every  two  hours 
to  murk  absentees  for  punishment.  Col.  Shunk  was 
relieved  of  the  command  of  the  brigade  and  ordered  to 
the  rear  for  his  inability,  or  rather  indisposition,  to 
prevent  foraging.  Col.  Washburn  of  the  18th  Indiana, 
a  most  excellent  officer,  succeeded  him,  but  foraging 
went  on  just  the  same.  There  was  not  a  "neutral" 
stomach  in  the  first  brigade. 

On  the  20th  a  rapid  inarch  of  twenty-five  miles  was 
made  through  groves  and  prairies,  and  the  next  day  we 
came  within  eight  miles  of  Opelousas.  Here  we  were 
terrified  to  learn  that  the  cavalry  had  had  a  little  skirm 
ish  with  a  small  band  of  guerrillas  the  day  before.  On 
the  22nd  followed  up  the  Teche  to  the  crossing  of  the 
Opelousas,  then  twelve  miles  to  Baird's  Landing.  This 
was  our  farthest  point  westward,  some  two  hundred 
and  twenty-five  miles  northwest  of  New  Orleans. 


50 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


Stayed  at  this  place  until  the  27th,  when  we  were  or 
dered  to  take  the  back  track,  and  made  a  march  of  fif 
teen  miles,  covering  the  same  distance  the  following 
day.  On  the  29th  we  were  again  at  St.  Martinville, 
and  the  next  day  at  New  Iberia,  where  we  halted  two 
days.  Moved  three  miles  down  the  Berwick  road  on 
Nov.  2nd,  and  remained  quietly  in  camp  on  the  3rd, 
4th  and  5th. 

At  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  (5th,  an  alarm 
was  given  that  the  enemy  was  close  upon  us.  Our 
brigade  was  marched  hurriedly  one  and  a  half  miles 
west  of  town  and  the  8th  and  18th  Indiana  were  placed 
in  line  of  battle,  the  33rd  and  99th  Illinois  in  column 
in  reserve.  The  2nd  brigade  was  formed  on  our  right, 
the  3rd  brigade  in  reserve.  After  waiting  in  this  for 
mation  until  noon,  it  was  discovered  that  there  was  no 
enemy  in  that  vicinity,  nor  had  there  been  for  some 
months.  The  alarm  was  caused  by  a  little  boy  who 
was  out  early  and  made  a  good  deal  of  noise  bringing 
home  his  cows;  at  least  that  was  the  way  the  soldiers 
explained  it.  This  was  the  nearest  the  13th  Corps 
came  to  a  fight  on  that"  trip. 

No  move  on  the  7th.     On  the  8th  a  march  of  twenty- 


five  miles  was  made,  to  within  two  miles  of  Franklin. 
Next  day  our  brigade  was  placed  on  boats  at  Franklin 
and  taken  down  the  Teche  to  Berwick  Bay.  By  the 
10th  the  whole  division  was  in  camp  at  Berwick.  On 
the  12th  the  8th  Indiana  and  eight  companies  of  the 
18th  Indiana  were  placed  011  the  steamer  St.  Mary  and 
started  down  the  bay  for  Brazos  Santiago,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Rio  Grande.  On  Nov.  14th  the  33rd  was  taken 
across  the  bay  to  Brashear  City  and  moved  by  rail  to 
New  Orleans,  reaching  Algiers  at  night. 

Here  we  were  at  the  place  we  left  on  Kept.  4th,  hav 
ing  made  a  round  trip  of  five  or  six  hundred  miles, 
and  in  all  that  campaign  I  don't  remember  that  our 
regiment,  or  any  other  regiment  in  the  corps,  fired  a 
shot  or  even  saw  an  enemy.  This  fine  corps  had  been 
sent  "where  it  would  do  the  least  good",  and  while  it 
was  on  this  farcical  expedition  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  had  been  fought  and  lost,  Burnside  was  be 
sieged  in  Knoxville,  and  all  troops  attainable  had  been 
hurried  to  Chattanooga  with  the  utmost  speed.  Not 
withstanding  all  this,  we  were  now  sent  on  another 
campaign,  more  useless  and  senseless,  if  possible,  than 
the  one  on  which  we  had  just  been  engaged. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  TEXAS. 


Sunday,  Nov.  lo,  18(53,  was  the  beginning  of  a  new 
experience  for  the  33rd.  On  the  afternoon  of  this  day 
it  was  embarked  on  the  sea-going  steamer  Clinton, 
Capt.  Baxter,  and  started  down  the  river  tor  Hra/os  on 
the  Rio  Grande.  In  addition  to  our  regiment  there 
were  on  the  vessel  Gen.  C.  C.  Washburn,  staff  and 
body  guard,  two  companies  of  the  18th  Indiana,  and  a 
battery  of  artillery.  There  was  scarcely  room  for  the 
men  to  lie  down  on  the  upper  deck  ;  the  deck  amid- 
ship  was  jammed  full  of  horses  and  mules.  Our  pas 
sage  down  the  river  was  a  night  run,  and  for  this  time 
we  missed  a  view  of  the  country  and  a  sight  of  the 
forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  where  Farragut  made 
himself  immortal. 

The  morning  found  us  just  outside  the  delta,  and 
where  the  muddy  water  of  the  Mississippi  marked  a 
distinct  line  from  the  clear  blue  waters  of  the  gulf.  The 
view  of  the  open  sea  was  entrancing  to  all  of  us,  as 
there  were  none  of  the  prairie-bred  boys  of  Illinois 
who  had  ever  before  looked  upon  the  ocean.  The  day 
was  clear  and  beautiful  and  not  enough  wind  to 
roughen  the  water.  Flocks  of  gulls  followed  the  ship 
far  out  of  sight  of  land  ;  schools  of  porpoise  raced  along 
side,  leaping  from  the  water  and  lashing  the  sea  into 
foam.  It  was  a  picture  that  will  not  fade  from  the 
memory  of  any  of  the  33rd.  It  was  not  all  lovely,  how 
ever,  as  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  freshened,  and  evi 


dences  of  seasickness  became  manifest  throughout  the 
crowded  ship.  The  17th  was  another  fine  day,  bright 
sunshine  and  smooth  water.  The  men  lay  in  groups 
upon  the  deck  looking  out  upon  the  sea  and  watching 
our  strange  attendants,  the  porpoises,  who  seemed  de 
termined  to  see  us  through  to  the  end  of  our  voyage. 
Next  day  there  was  a  stiff'  breeze  which  caused  the 
heavily  loaded  ship  to  roll  greatly,  and  seasickness  be 
came  a  downright  epidemic.  The  captain  said  there 
was  no  good  reason  for  the  ship  rolling  the  way  it  did, 
and  spoke  of  the  vessel  in  a  manner  only  to  be  found 
in  the  vocabulary  of  a  sailor. 

During  the  forenoon  the  Texas  coast  was  sighted,  and 
toward  night  we  were  oft'  the  bar  at  Brazos  Santiago. 
Capt.  Baxter  was  in  doubt  as  to  there  being  sufficient 
depth  of  water  to  cross  the  bar,  but  concluded  to  try  it, 
and  headed  for  the  breakers.  Very  soon  the  ship  was 
lifted  on  a  wave  and  dropped  on  the  bottom,  where  it 
stuck  hard  and  fast.  The  pleasures  of  a  sea  voyage 
which  we  had  been  enjoying  for  three  days  came  to  a 
very  sudden  and  startling  conclusion.  The  breakers 
lashed  the  ship,  throwing  the  salt  spray  over  the  decks, 
crowded  with  men.  Just  ahead  could  be  seen  many 
wrecks  of  vessels  that  had  gone  ashore  for  attempting 
just  what  we  were  trying  to  do  now.  To  a  landsman, 
anyway,  it  seemed  a  fair  prospect  that  our  ship  would 
soon  add  another  wreck  to  those  that  already  lined  the 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


51 


shore.  The  men  did  not  seem  greatly  alarmed,  but  took 
matters  with  surprising  coolness.  However,  I  think 
everyone  of  them,  like  Col.  Roe  at  Vicksburg,  had  "an 
intellectual  perception  of  danger".  I  do  not  think  that 
anything  could  have  so  quieted  our  nerves  and  restored 
our  confidence  when  the  ship  struck  as  the  exultant 
shout  of  Captain  Baxter  from  his  place  in  the  rigging  : 
"Now,  d— n  you,  roll!"  A  hearty  laugh  went  from 
bow  to  stern  of  the  vessel.  After  some  time,  by  a  rise  in 
the  tide,  and  reversing  the  engines,  the  ship  backed  off 
into  deep  water  and  got  out  to  sea  again.  A  most  uncom 
fortable  night  was  passed,  the  vessel  rolling  and  pitch 
ing  violently,  and  everything  creaking  and  straining. 

The  morning  of  the  19th  the  wind  increased  and  the 
waves  ran  very  high.  The  soldiers  held  on  to  every 
thing  that  was  fast,  and  the  horses  and  mules  on  the 
lower  deck  were  thrown  about  in  the  wildest  confusion. 
The  ship  stood  up  for  the  bar  again,  showing  a  signal 
for  a  pilot  which  was  not  answered.  She  ran  up  and 
down  outside  the  bar  several  times  during  the  day,  tir 
ing  a  gun  occasionally,  and  showing  her  ring  at  half 
mast,  union  down,  an  indication  that  we  were  in  much 
worse  plight  than  the  facts  justified. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  captain  decided 
to  try  the  bar  again,  and  stood  straight  for  the  break 
ers,  with  the  result  that  we  were  soon  aground  again 
and  experienced  the  same  sensations  we  had  the  day 
before.  By  giving  the  engines  "full  speed  astern"  the 
vessel  was  backed  into  deep  water  once  more,  where 
she  was  tossed  sky  high  on  the  waves.  A  few  of  the 
men  took  a  serious  view  of  the  situation  about  this 
time.  Coffey,  of  Company  B,  was  on  his  knees  pray 
ing,  and  at  every  plunge  of  the  ship  would  cry  out : 
"Boys,  put  your  trust  in  God;  it's  her  last  dip!"  This 
expression  was  in  frequent  use  in  the  regiment  until 
the  end  of  the  war. 

An  hour  later  the  plucky  captain  tried  the  experi 
ment  again  and  cracked  on  all  steam  in  the  hope  of 
pushing  through  the  sand,  but  the  ship  struck  the  bar 
as  it  would  strike  a  wall,  and  everything  and  every 
body  was  upset,  and  for  the  third  time  was  hard 
aground  and  in  a  much  more  serious  condition  than 
ever  before.  The  breakers  were  worse  than  ever  and 
pounded  the  vessel  at  a  terrible  rate.  The  lashing  of 
the  waves,  the  wind  whistling  through  the  rigging,  the 
fierce  throbbing  of  the  engines  and  the  creaking  and 
groaning  of  the  ship  tried  the  nerve  of  the  strongest. 
The  situation  of  being  on  a  ship  stuck  on  a  sand  bar  in 
a  storm,  with  every  prospect  of  its  becoming  a  first- 
class  wreck,  was  not  one  we  expected  to  meet  when  we 
started  out  to  save  the  country.  When  but  a  slip  of  a 
boy  I  was  always  wishing  that  I  might  see  a  battle  and 
a  storm  at  sea.  The  recollection  of  my  youthful  ambi 
tion  came  to  me  at  this  time.  My  desire  to  see  a  battle 
had  been  more  than  gratified,  and  just  now  a  storm  at 
sea  had  none  of  those  attractions  which  my  boyish 
ideas  had  given  it. 

The  reversing  of  the  engines  did  not  appear  to  help  ;  it 
seemed  we  were  there  to  stay  or  go  ashore  on  a  board. 


Capt.  Baxter  all  this  time  was  quite  serene  and  gave  di 
rections  with  the  utmost  coolness.  The  men  were  sent 
from  one  side  of  the  deck  to  the  other,  and  then  all 
crowded  aft,  which  lightened  the  bow,  and  finally  the 
ship  edged  off  into  deep  water.  The  men  of  the  33rd 
had  faced  a  good  many  serious  situations,  but  they 
never  showed  more  nerve  and  courage  than  they  did  in 
this  trying  hour.  I  am  sure  a  creditable  dress  parade 
could  have  been  had  among  those  breakers. 

We  tossed  another  night  at  anchor  and  most  of  the 
succeeding  day,  with  our  flag  still  union  down.  In  the 
afternoon  of  the  20th  the  tug  Leviathan  got  out  to  us 
with  an  order  to  join  the  fleet  off  Corpus  Christi,  and 
we  left  for  that  point  at  4  o'clock  p.  m. 

The  next  morning  the  ship  was  at  anchor  off  Aransas 
Pass  in  a  quiet  sea.  The  steamer  Planter  came  out  and 
took  on  board  most  of  the  troops  and  proceeded  up  the 
inlet  for  four  miles,  followed  by  the  Clinton.  The  regi 
ment  was  debarked  on  the  west  end  of  St.  Joseph's 
Island  in  small  boats.  The  horses  and  mules  were 
thrown  into  the  water  and  swam  ashore  guided  by 
men  in  boats. 

The  horses  had  a  rough  time  of  it  in  the  heavy 
weather  we  had  gone  through,  and  many  of  them  had 
died  and  were  thrown  overboard,  and  it  was  a  wonder 
that  any  of  them  survived.  They  had  been  tied  on  the 
lower  deck  for  a  week  without  brace  or  support  except 
against  themselves  and  the  sides  of  the  vessel.  When 
one  got  down  it  was  trampled  to  death.  I  had  on 
board  a  black  mare  and  a  small  bay  horse  that  came 
out  of  the  works  at  Vicksburg  during  the  siege.  I  had 
a  great  affection  for  both  animals  and  it  worried  me 
greatly  to  see  them  suffer.  On  one  of  the  stormiest 
days  the  mare  broke  loose,  and  in  trying  to  find  a  way 
out  had  been  shut  in  close  to  the  boilers,  and  was  raging 
and  foaming  with  sweat.  With  the  rolling  of  the  ves 
sel  it  was  impossible  to  get  her  out,  and  I  gave  her  up 
for  lost,  but  I  was  greatly  rejoiced  next  morning  to  find 
she  had  fought  her  way  through  the  crowded  horses 
and  was  in  the  best  place  on  the  deck.  Those  two 
horses  never  had  the  same  life  and  go  in  them  after  this 
voyage. 

We  here  bid  good-bye  to  Captain  Baxter  and  the  Clin 
ton.  For  many  days  there  could  be  heard  in  the  ranks 
such  commands  as,  "By  the  starboard  flank,  march!" 
and  "How  does  she  head  now,  Mr.  Parker?"  and  they 
lasted  through  the  war. 

We  joined  the  other  regiments  of  our  brigade  on  the 
22nd,  and  stayed  that  day  in  camp,  and  at  noon  on  the 
next  marched  northward  along  the  beach,  the  waves 
breaking  at  our  feet  and  with  sand  hills  on  the  left.  We 
moved  rapidly  for  seven  hours,  making  eighteen  miles 
that  afternoon,  reaching  the  upper  end  of  the  island, 
which  is  divided  from  Matagorda  Island  by  HII  inlet 
some  three  hundred  yards  in  width  with  a  strong  cur 
rent.  Wood  was  gathered  from  the  beach.  A  wounded 
bull  came  charging  into  the  camps  and  stampeded  the 
whole  brigade.  There  was  some  danger  from  the  in 
furiated  beast,  but  still  more  from  the  shots  that  were 


PICTURES  OF  FIELD  AND  NTAFF. 


ADJUTANT  DUNCAN  G.  INGRA1IAM. 


QUARTERMASTER  SIMEON  WRIGHT. 


QUARTERMASTER  RICHARD  B.  FULKS. 


SURGEON  GEORGE  P.  REX. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


53 


fired  at  him.  It  sounded  for  a  time  like  heavy  skirm 
ishing. 

On  the  2oth  the  troops  were  taken  across  the  inlet  in 
small  boats.  Leaving  Company  B  to  run  the  ferry,  we 
started  up  the  beach  after  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
marched  some  four  miles  and  crossed  over  the  sand  hills 
to  a  sandy  prairie  and  went  eight  mile*  farther,  going 
into  bivouac  at  about  one  o'clock.  Next  morning  we 
moved  early  without  breakfast  and  made  a  very  hard 
march  of  twenty-two  miles.  During  the  day  we  passed 
many  herds  of  cattle  and  deer.  There  were  strict  orders 
against  strangling  and  shooting;  however,  I  could  not 
resist  the  temptation  to  see  how  close  I  could  get  to  a 
deer  on  horseback.  In  the  first  rush  I  was  almost  near 
enough  to  use  my  sword,  but  the  sea  vogage  had  taken 
most  of  the  speed  and  all  of  the  stay  out  of  my  black 
mare  and  the  deer  was  soon  lost  in  the  sand  hills. 

At  7  o'clock  on  the  27th  the  83rd  moved  out  in  advance 
with  one  company  from  each  regiment  in  the  brigade 
thrown  out  as  skirmishers.  The  lighthouse  was  reached 
about  midday,  and  Fort  Esj>eranza  was  in  plain  sight 
and  in  easy  artillery  range.  The  skirmishers  moved  up 
to  within  rifle  shot,  when  the  fort  opened  on  them  with 
shells.  They  maintained  their  -advance  until  night, 
when  they  rejoined  the  brigade,  which  was  just  out  of 
range.  Gallant  George  H.  Fifer  was  wounded  on  the 
skirmish  line  and  died  one  month  later.  Kelley  of 
Company  G  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  During 
the  night  what  was  said  to  be  the  worst  "Norther"  that 
ever  blew  over  Texas  came  upon  us.  The  officers  were 
without  tents  or  blankets,  and  the  men  had  but  a  few 
shelter  tents,  which  were  little  protection  against  the 
fierce  blasts  of  wind  and  sleet.  The  only  shelter  to  be 
had  was  by  digging  holes  in  the  ground,  and  then  it 
was  necessary  to  dig  out  again  almost  immediately  or 
be  smothered  by  the  drifting  sand.  In  all  the  exper 
ience  of  the  regiment,  there  was  never  so  great  suffer 
ing  from  the  cold  as  there  was  that  night. 

The  next  day  the  storm  was  so  severe  as  to  prevent 
all  operations  against  the  enemy,  and  the  only  fight  we 
had  was  to  keep  from  free/ing.  On  the  morning  of  the 
29th,  while  the  wind  was  blowing  a  gale,  our  artillery, 
which  had  been  advanced  in  the  night,  opened  fire. 
A  little  later  the  8th  Indiana  was  moved  forward,  fol 
lowed  by  the  33rd,  and  took  possession  of  the  outer 
works  about  -100  yards  from  the  fort,  the  Confederates 
making  little  resistance  and  retiring  within  their  main 
defense.  Ransom's  brigade  was  to  the  left  and  farther 
away.  Our  artillery  was  very  accurate  and  effective, 
preventing  the  using  of  the  heavy  guns  in  the  fort 
against  our  troops.  The  rifle  shooting  of  those  in  the 
fort  was  very  wild,  and  our  men  ceased  to  care  any 
thing  about  it  and  recklessly  exposed  themselves  in  the 
open  prairie. 

During  this  day  1  had  a  small  adventure  which  fur 
nished  the  members  of  the  33rd  some  amusement,  and 
perhaps  it  will  serve  the  same  purpose  after  all  the 
years  since  that  time  if  I  should  call  attention  to  it.  I 
had  been  given  an  order  to  carry  to  Gen.  Ransom,  and 


mounted  my  horse  "Billy"  and  jumped  him  out  of  the 
trench  where  we  were  and  started  at  full  speed  on  a 
short  cut  across  the  prairie.  I  had  not  gone  many 
hundred  yards  when  I  plunged  into  a  bog  of  quicksand, 
my  horse  going  in  to  his  breast  and  I  over  his  head 
into  the  mud.  I  scrambled  out  covered  with  sand  and 
mud  in  the  quickest  time  possible,  so  did  my  horse.  I 
mounted  and  went  on  my  mission  by  another  way. 
This  performance  was  seen  by  everybody,  inside  the 
fort  and  out,  and  from  the  shouts  and  jeers  that  came 
across  the  prairie  I  am  sure  they  enjoyed  it  more  than 
1  did.  I  presented  rather  a  soiled  appearance  when  I 
reached  Gen.  Ransom,  and  attracted  the  interested  at 
tention  of  his  entire  brigade. 

This  was  the  first  and  last  time  I  saw  this  splendid 
soldier.  He  had  been  desperately  wounded  at  Charles 
ton,  Mo.,  and  at  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  and  afterwards 
it  was  thought  fatally  at  Babine  Cross  Roads.  He  left 
us  to  command  a  division  in  the  16th  Corps  operating 
about  Atlanta,  and,  it  is  stated,  died  in  an  ambulance 
from  disease,  October,  1864,  while  directing  his  troops 
in  pursuit  of  Hood. 

The  regiment  slept  that  night  in  the  abandoned  rifle 
pits  of  the  enemy.  Shortly  after  midnight  the  com 
mand  w7as  aroused  by  a  terriffic  explosion,  which 
meant  that  the  fort  was  evacuated  and  the  magazines 
were  being  blown  up.  An  advance  was  at  once  made, 
several  explosions  soon  following,  throwing  heavy 
beams  and  fragments  high  in  air.  No  one  was  ser 
iously  hurt,  although  some  of  our  men  were  inside  be 
fore  the  last  maga/ine  went  up.  Capt.  Russell  of  Co. 
G,  with  ten  men,  were  the  first  to  enter  the  fort, 
closely  followed  by  Capt.  Lyon  and  Sergeant  Pike. 
The  flag  of  the  33rd  was  the  first  to  be  raised  over  the 
abandoned  structure. 

The  result  of  this  capture  was  just  four  prisoners  and 
three  or  four  worthless  old  cannon.  Perhaps  it  bad 
some  greater  value,  as  the  fort  was  built  to  guard  the 
entrance  to  Matagorda  Bay.  Just  how  many  Confed 
erate  troops  opposed  us  is  not  known  -probably  less 
than  six  hundred,  and  this  was  the  only  encounter  our 
forces  had  with  the  enemy  on  tins  expedition. 

The  brigade  went  into  camp  at  this  place  and  re 
mained  there  without  noteworthy  incident  until  Dec. 
20th,  when  a  detail  of  200  men  under  Lt.  Col.  Potter, 
Gen.  Warren  in  chief  command,  went  up  the  bay  on 
the  steamer  Planter  on  a  tour  of  observation.  They  ob 
served  an  old  pier  extending  into  the  bay  and  brought 
back  a  boat  load  of  lumber  for  fuel. 

On  Dec.  23rd  the  brigade  was  taken  by  steamers  up 
the  bay  to  Indianola  and  went  into  winter  quarters  in 
the  houses.  Lt.  Col.  Potter  was  in  command  of  the  reg 
iment,  Col.  Lippincott  having  gone  north  on  Dec.  17th  ; 
Gen.  Fit/  Henry  Warren  of  the  brigade,  Gen.  Ben- 
ton  of  the  division,  and  Gen.  C.  C.  Washburn  in  chief 
command,  with  headquarters  at  Decrows— a  point  on 
the  gulf  fifteen  miles  from  Indianola.  Of  our  stay  at 
this  place  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak  at  any  length.  We 
had  comfortable  quarters  and  did  not  greatly  dread  the 


54 


GENERAL  HIS  TOR  Y. 


"Northers"  which  came  every  few  days.  There  were 
occasional  alarms  from  squads  of  the  enemy's  cavalry 
appearing  on  the  near-by  plains  (Jen.  Warren  was  an 
excellent  officer,  well  on  in  years,  a  severe  disciplin 
arian,  punctilious  in  the  extreme,  and  irascible  to  the 
last  degree,  and  when  things  did  not  go  to  suit  him 
he  WHS  heard  from  with  a  vengeance. 

The  matter  of  the  greatest  interest  to  the  33rd  while 
at  Indianola  was  the  proposition  to  re-enlist  for 
another  three  years.  This  wTas  earnestly  and  seriously 
discussed  for  some  weeks,  and.  the  result  was  the  ne 
cessary  three-tourths  were  enrolled.  This  re-enlistment, 
among  other  advantages,  carried  with  it  a  furlough  of 
thirty  days  in  the  state  of  Illinois.  While  I  know  the 
regiment  would  have  stayed  anyway,  yet  the  chance  to 
go  home  proved  a  very  attractive  feature.  Those  who 
did  not  re-enlist  declined  for  good  and  sufficient  reas 
ons,  and  lost  no  caste  with  their  comrades.  We  would 
have  gladly  taken  them  home  with  us,  but  it  was  not 
permitted,  and  we  left  them  in  the  friendly  care  of  the 
90th  Illinois. 

There  were  some  things  about  this  re-enlistment  that 
were  not  generally  known  at  the  time,  and  may  be  of 
some  interest  to  the  surviving  members  of  the  regi 
ment.  Gen.  Warren  was  unreasonably  opposed  to  our 
going,  and  put  every  obstacle  in  the  way  possible.  He 
did  not  wish  to  lose  the  33rd  from  his  brigade.  I  was 
his  Chief  of  Staff'  at  the  time,  and  tried  hard  to  secure 
his  permission  to  go  to  New  Orleans  to  obtain  an  order 
from  department  headquarters  for  the  regiment  to  vet 
eranize  and  go  home  on  furlough,  but  was  refused.  I 
then  asked  leave  to  visit  some  friends  at  Gen.  Wash- 
burn's  headquarters,  which  was  reluctantly  granted.  I 
am  quite  certain  this  permission  would  not  have  been 
given  had  there  not  been  a  big  storm  on  hand,  and  no 
vessels  at  Indianola.  He  saw  no  way  for  me  to  go,  and 
would  have  recalled  his  consent  in  good  time. 

I  immediately  went  to  the  lower  part  of  the  town 
and  secured  a  small  sail  boat  and  the  services  of  two 
natives,  and  started  down  the  bay  with  the  wind 
blowing  great  guns.  We  had  not  gone  far  from  shore 
when  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  I  did  not  care  to 
re-enlist;  I  had  no  desire  to  go  to  Illinois  on  furlough; 
the  one  thing  I  wanted  was  to  be  safe  on  shore.  I  was  a 
great  deal  more  frightened  than  I  was  when  on  the  Clin 
ton  off'  Era/os,  and  that  is  stating  the  case  strongly.  But 
it  was  too  late,  and  our  boat  was  driven  down  the  bay 
like  a  leaf  in  a  storm.  Why  that  little  craft  did  not 
capsi/e  is  one  of  the  miracles  of  seafaring;  but  it  did 
not,  and  I  soon  made  my  wants  known  to  Gen.  Wash- 
burn,  who  readily  gave  me  an  order  to  proceed  to  New 
Orleans. 

I  sailed  the  next  day,  easily  obtained  the  necessary 
orders  at  department  headquarters,  and  was  back  in 
Indianola  on  the  evening  of  Jan.  22nd.  I  found 
Gen.  Warren  in  a  fine  frenzy.  He  threatened  me  with 
arrest  for  absence  without  leave,  and  all  kinds  of  pun 
ishment.  The  one  thing  I  was  afraid  of  was  that  he 
would  detain  me  for  duty  on  his  staff'.  My  impression 


was  then,  and  is  now,  that  I  would  have  gone  with  the 
33rd  dead  or  alive. 

On  reaching  Illinois  I  received  a  letter  from  Gen. 
Warren  stating  that  I  had  stolen  a  pair  of  duelling  pis 
tols  from  a  citizen  of  Indianola,  and  ordering  me  to 
return  them  at  once.  I  had  the  pistols  and  I  have 
them  yet,  but  I  had  not  stolen  them,  and  I  replied  by 
return  mail  that  he  might  go  where  there  were  no 
"Northers".  I  doubt  if  he  received  that  letter,  as  I 
did  not  hear  of  his  having  a  stroke  of  apoplexy.  This 
ended  a  brief  but  somewhat  vigorous  correspondence. 
I  never  saw  him  afterward. 

On  Wednesday,  Jan.  27th,  18(>4,  the  33rd  Illinois 
Volunteers  was  mustered  into  the  veteran  service  at 
Tndianola,  Texas,  by  Lieut.  Meinhold.  Meinhold  was 
on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Carr  at  Vicksburg  and  had  been 
with  us  in  all  our  campaigns;  a  more  daring  and  gal 
lant  officer  never  wore  a  sword.  Since  I  have  been  in 
New  Mexico  I  had  a  visit  from  Gen.  Carr,  who  pointed 
out  to  me  on  the  plains  not  far  from  where  I  now  live, 
the  place  where  Meinhold  saved  his  life  in  a  battle 
with  the  Apache  Indians,  which  took  place  before  the 
Civil  War. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  27th  the  regiment  went  on 
board  the  steamer  St.  Mary.  It  was  heart-breaking  to 
leave  behind  our  comrades  who  did  not  re-enlist,  and  I 
am  sure  they  felt  even  worse  than  we  did.  We  laid  off' 
Indianola  that  night  and  in  the  morning  ran  down  to 
Pass  Cavallo,  and  at  1  o'clock  crossed  the  bar  into  the 
gulf.  Saturday  morning,  the  30th,  we  were  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi  in  a  dense  fog,  but  finally  got 
a  pilot  who  took  the  ship  into  the  southwest  pass.  The 
fog  now  disappeared  and  we  had  a  most  pleasant  trip 
up  the  river.  The  fog  closed  in  again  after  night  and 
we  anchored  ten  miles  below  New  Orleans. 

On  Sunday,  the  last  day  of  January,  we  were  landed 
in  the  city  and  occupied  quarters  near  the  river  in  the 
Louisiana  Cotton  Press.  Notwithstanding  our  great 
anxiety  to  hurry  home,  we  remained  in  these  quarters 
for  thirty-three  days,  not  being  able  to  obtain  transpor 
tation  up  the  river.  However,  the  time  did  not  hang 
heavily  on  our  hands,  as  we  had  little  or  no  military 
duties  to  perform,  and  the  men  were  given  almost  free 
run  of  the  city,  which  furnished  us  no  end  of  enter 
tainment.  The  theatres  were  very  attractive.  Law 
rence  Barrett,  just  on  the  threshold  of  his  great  career, 
was  playing  at  the  St.  Charles,  and  I  presume  every 
member  of  the  regiment  heard  him  in  the  "Ticket  of 
Leave  Man"  and  "Don  Caesar  de  Bo.zan".  Large  del 
egations  from  the  33rd  went  every  night  to  hear  the 
great  comedian,  Dan  Setchell.  On  one  occasion  by  in 
vitation  the  regiment  went  in  a  body  to  the  Academy 
of  Music.  We  witnessed  the  grotesqueries  of  Mardi 
Gras,  the  inauguration  of  Gov.  Hahn,  and  the  cele 
bration  of  Washington's  birthday  by  artillery  and  mili 
tary  bands. 

On  Feb.  Oth  there  was  a  great  concourse  assembled  at 
Clay  statue  on  Canal  street,  to  witness  the  presentation 
of  a  flag  by  Miss  Minnie  Banks,  daughter  of  Gen. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


55 


Banks,  to  a  cavalry  brigade  commanded  by  General 
Dudley.  The  force  was  about  to  start  on  an  expedition 
up  Red  river,  where  a  very  few  weeks  later  the  rebels 
took  this  flag  away  from  Gen.  Dudley  and  sent  the 
cavalry  scurrying  back  to  New  Orleans.  On  receiving 
this  flag  Gen.  Dudley  made  even  a  more  bombastic 
and  hifalutin'  speech  than  I  did  when  my  first  sword 
was  presented  me,  and  1  imagine  his  feelings  on  his  re 
turn  were  about  the  same  as  mine  when  I  went  home 
after  Big  River  Bridge. 

On  Feb.  2Hth  the  33rd  gave  an  exhibition  drill  in  Col 
iseum  Place  and  was  reviewed  by  our  old  corps  com 
mander,  Gen.  McClernand.  The  regiment  passed  in 
review  in  both  quick  and  double  quick  time,  and  in  per 
fect  alignment ;  the  manual  of  arms  could  not  have 
been  improved.  Gen.  McClernand  made  quite  an  ex 
tended  speech,  extolling  our  patriotism  in  re-enlisting, 
and  giving  us  almost  fulsome  praise  for  our  efficiency 
in  drill  and  soldierly  appearance. 

To  confirm  my  statements  in  regard  to  theatres  and 
other  entertainments,  and  to  show  the  neat  though 
somewhat  expensive  appearance  the  members  of  the 
33rd  cultivated  at  this  time,  I  will  give  a  page  from 
the  diary  of  ('apt.  Lewis: 

"February— Saturday— 6,  1864.— In  p.  m.  went  to  see 
a  flag  presented  by  Miss  Banks  to  a  cavalry  regiment 
at  the  Clay  monument.  Then  went  to  a  barber's  shop 
and  was  shampooed,  trimmed  and  dyed  at  a  cost  of 
$4. 00,  Capt.  Pope  paying  $o.50  for  a  similar  job  at  the 
same  shop." 

The  ferocity  of  the  appearance  of  the  staid  and  good- 
tempered  Capt.  Lewis  after  he  had  received  that  coat 
ing  of  four  dollars'  worth  of  hair  dye,  will  be  remem 
bered  by  those  who  lived  after  seeing  him. 

From  the  same  diary,  under  date  of  Sunday,  Feb.  7th  : 
"Went  to  two  or  three  churches  in  morning,  but  did  not 
stay  long  at  any.  Tn  the  evening  went  to  the  'Varieties' 
ag-iiii  and  saw  'Camille'  well  played,  with  'Toodles'  as 
the  afterpiece,  in  which  Dan  Setchell  was  inimitable." 

At  last,  on  Friday,  March  4th,  we  secured  transporta 
tion,  and  after  great  difficulty  in  collecting  the  men, 
embarked  on  the  steamboat  Westmoreland.  The  boat  tied 
up  at  Bull's  Head  to  take  on  coal,  and  it  was  supposed 
we  would  be  detained  there  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
night,  a  most  unfortunate  supposition  for  Adjutant 
Gove  and  the  Non-Commissioned  Staff.  While  in  the 
city,  the  Non-Commissioned  Staff  had  purchased  a 
very  fine  meerschaum  pipe,  and  after  we  had  boarded 
the  Westmoreland,  it  was  presented  to  Adjutant  Gove  in 
a  neat  speech  by  Sergeant  Major  Ingraham.  These 
young  soldiers  were  in  a  gay  mood.  They  had  pro 
vided  themselves  with  new  uniforms,  secured  berths, 
and  paid  for  meal  tickets  to  Cairo,  and  made  every  ar 
rangement  for  a  fine  time  while  on  veteran  furlough. 
When  the  boat  tied  up  for  coal,  thinking  then-  was 
plenty  of  time,  (Jove  invited  those  who  had  presented 
the  pipe  to  an  oyster  supper  down  town.  They  returned 
in  a  carriage  about  midnight  to  find  the  boat  just 
swinging  out  in  the  river.  They  waved  their  hats  and 


coats  and  yelled  and  shouted  in  a  frenzy  of  despair  and 
rage.  They  tore  up  the  bank  screaming  "Man  over 
board!"  "Boat's  on  fire!"  but  all  to  no  purpose;  they 
were  left ;  their  berths,  baggage  and  meal  tickets  had 
gone.  I  need  not  say  that  had  I  been  in  command  of 
the  regiment  in  place  of  Col.  Potter,  those  boys  would 
not  have  been  left.  They  did  not  get  away  from  the 
city  for  six  days,  and  then  on  the  slowest  boat  on  the 
river,  which  stopped  at  every  town,  landing  and  wood- 
yard  between  New  Orleans  and  Cairo.  At  Memphis 
they  changed  to  another,  and  what  they  supposed  a 
faster  boat,  but  they  were  soon  passed  by  the  one  on 
which  they  had  started.  They  were  detained  thirty 
hours  at  Cairo,  and  nine  hours  at  Centralia  waiting  for 
a  train  to  take  them  to  Bloomington,  where  they  ar 
rived  on  March  the  21st,  to  find  that  after  a  grand  re 
ception  the  others  members  of  the  regiment  had  gone  to 
their  homes  more  than  a  week  before.  Their  woes  were 
not  yet  ended,  as  Col.  Potter  would  do  nothing  toward 
securing  them  furloughs,  and  they  had  to  go  to  Spring 
field  for  that  purpose.  After  two  days  hard  work  they 
obtained  them  and  hurried  home.  The  time  was  now 
very  short  for  them  to  be  in  Camp  Butler  at  the  re-as 
sembling  of  the  regiment.  The  tribulations  of  the  Ad 
jutant  and  Non-Commissioned  Staff'  were  a  fruitful 
source  of  amusement  ever  after. 

We  reached  Vicksburg  March  7th.  Gen.  Sherman 
here  took  passage  on  our  boat  for  Memphis,  where  we 
arrived  in  the  afternoon  of  the  10th.  The  Chief  of 
Transportation  wanted  our  boat  for  some  purpose,  and 
proposed  to  crowd  us  upon  the  upper  deck  of  a  much 
inferior  craft.  1  went  to  see  Gen.  Sherman  about  it 
and  he  gave  us  our  old  acquaintance,  the  City  of  Alton. 
Just  above  Columbus  we  collided  witli  a  gunboat,  and 
for  a  moment  it  appeared  we  were  to  have  a  serious  ac 
cident  just  in  sight  of  home,  but  the  damage  was  not 
great  and  we  landed  at  Cairo  at  11  :00  p.  m.  on  the  12th. 

The  regiment  passed  the  night  in  barracks  and  took  a 
special  train  next  day  for  Bloomington,  arriving  there 
on  Monday,  March  14th,  at  10a.m.,  and  we  were  at  home 
again  after  our  long  journey.  The  citi/ens  had  but  an 
hour's  notice  of  our  coming,  yet  there  were  throngs  at 
the  depot  to  greet  us.  The  regiment  marched  down  the 
street  escorted  by  a  multitude,  to  Roger's  Hall,  and 
were  briefly  welcomed  by  Col.  Roe  and  others.  In  the 
afternoon  we  were  given  a  fine  dinner  and  another  en 
thusiastic  welcome  in  Phoenix  Hall,  with  a  speech  by 
Dr.  Edwards,  President  of  Normal  University.  In  the 
evening  another  reception,  and  on  the  next  night  a 
ball  was  given  in  honor  of  the  33rd  at  the  Ashley 
House.  It  seemed  the  people  of  Bloomington  could  not 
do  enough  for  us.  Every  heart,  gate,  door  and  cup 
board  was  wide  open  in  earnest  welcome.  Bloomington 
was  the  rendezvous  and  home  of  the  "Normal  Regi 
ment".  This,  with  the  unstinted  kindness  always 
shown  us  by  its  citi/ens,  gives  it  a  loving  place  in  our 
memories.  By  the  16th  furloughs  were  given,  and  the 
happy  soldiers  hurried  each  to  his  own  home,  there  to 
be  met  by  an  even  warmer  welcome. 


56 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


CHAPTER  XIIL 
THE  LAST  CAMPAIGN. 


By  April  Kith,  the  furlough  of  thirty  days  having 
expired,  the  regiment  was  re-assernbled  at  Camp  Butler 
with  about  eighty  recruits,  and  on  Monday,  the  18th, 
at  1  :00  p.  in.,  went  on  board  the  Alton  train  and 
started  south.  Embarked  at  Alton  on  the  David  Tatuni 
at  dark  and  went  to  St.  Louis  in  the  night.  Remained 
here  one  day  and  were  transferred  to  the  Nebraska 
and  moved  down  the  river  at  daylight  on  the  -Oth. 
Arrived  at  Cairo  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  left 
at  noon,  and  in  our  many  trips  up  and  down  the  Mis 
sissippi  passed  Columbus  for  the  first  time  in  daylight. 
Landed  at  Memphis  at  10:00  p.  m.  on  the  23rd  and  left 
at  two  o'clock  on  the  following  day.  Arrived  at  Vicks- 
burgon  the  26th,  where  we  were  greeted  by  our  old  com 
rades,  Col.  Crandall,  Capt.  Norton,  Elmer  Washburn, 
Sid  Morgan  and  DuBois.  The  last  two  were  captains 
in  the  U.  S.  C.  I.  Went  on  down  the  river  at  mid 
night,  stopping  a  short  time  at  Natchez. 

During  the  night  of  the  27th  the  starboard  wheel  of 
our  boat  struck  a  snag  and  was  torn  out  of  the  wheel 
house.  It  seemed  that  the  whole  boat  was  being  rent  to 
pieces  and  there  was  something  of  a  panic  for  a  few 
minutes.  We  proceeded  the  rest  of  the  night  with  one 
wheel  and  next  day  were  taken  in  tow  by  a  tug  boat  to 
Carrolltou  and  went  into  camp  there  on  the  29th,  where 
we  stayed  until  May  17th.  On  this  date  the  regiment 
was  taken  to  Algiers,  placed  on  flat  cars  and  sent  to 
Brashear  City  in  the  night.  We  were  now  at  the  be 
ginning  of  another  disagreeable  and  wearing  service. 
It  was  the  hot  season,  and  we  were  near  the  gulf  coast 
in  the  pestilential  swamps  of  Louisiana,  filled  with  alli 
gators,  mosquitos  and  malaria.  The  regiment  lost  more 
men  by  disease  than  it  probably  would  have  lost  in 
severe  battles.  There  was  no  enemy  in  considerable 
force  within  a  long  distance.  Occasional  bands  of 
scouting  cavalry  appeared  from  time  to  time  across 
Berwick  Bay,  but  they  were  at  no  time  dangerous.  I 
suppose  the  force  that  was  kept  at  Brashear  this  summer 
was  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  Mississippi  river 
and  New  Orleans.  A  small  outpost  would  have  answered 
that  purpose. 

(Jen.  Grant  stated:  "The  Deparment  of  the  Gulf 
continued  to  absorb  troops  to  no  purpose  to  the  end  of 
the  war,  and  eliminated  the  use  of  40,000  veterans 
whose  co-operation  in  the  grand  campaign  had  been  ex 
pected."  We  were1  among  those  who  were  "absorbed 
and  eliminated".  We  had  no  part  in  the  "grand  cam 
paign",  except  to  await  eagerly  the  news  of  the  fierce 
hattles  that  were  being  fought  about  Atlanta  and  Rich 
mond. 

During  the  summer  of  l'S(i4  the  companies  of  the  JWrd 
were  scattered  along  the  railroad  running  from  Algiers, 


opposite  New  Orleans,  to  Brashear  City.  C  and  F  were 
sent  to  Bayou  Boeuf,  K  joining  them  in  September;  A 
and  D  to  Tigerville;  I  to  Bayou  L'Ours;  G  to  Chaca- 
houla  ;  E  to  Terre  Bonne;  B  to  Bayou  Lu  Fourche  and 
Bayou  Des  Allemandes,  and  H  to  Boutee.  The  head 
quarters  were  at  Terre  Bonne.  The  district  was  called 
the  "District  of  LaFourche",  and  was  commanded  by 
Brig.  Gen.  R.  A.  Cameron,  with  headquarters  at  Thib- 
adeaux.  The  service  required  of  the  companies  was 
not  severe.  The  railroad  did  not  need  much  looking 
after,  and  only  an  occasional  scout  was  made  into  the 
swamps.  All  suffered  intensely  from  mosquitos.  They 
were  of  enormous  size,  and  the  soldiers  said  they  did 
not  buz/,  but  barked.  Their  ferocity  was  beyond  de 
scribing,  and  there  was  no  living  at  night  except  under 
mosquito  bars,  and  the  savage  monsters  sometimes  tore 
holes  in  these. 

During  the  spring  it  rained  every  day  for  sixy-three 
consecutive  days.  It  was  not  an  ordinary  kind  of  rain, 
but  a  deluge,  and  we  lived  for  that  time  practically  in 
the  water.  Many  of  the  officers  were  on  .detail  part  of 
the  time  as  members  of  farcical  Courts  Martial.  I  was 
a  member  of  one  of  that  kind  for  months,  at  Thiba- 
deaux.  Most  of  the  trials  were  of  citizens  for  various 
trivial  transgressions  of  the  military  regulations  of  the 
district.  Our  findings  in  every  case  were  disapproved 
at  department  headquarters  and  the  court  given  a  severe 
reprimand.  The  reason  for  that  probably  was  that  the 
verdict  of  the  court  in  every  case  was  hanging.  Of 
course  we  knew  the  findings  would  be  disapproved,  but 
it  served  our  purpose  of  breaking  up  the  silly  Court 
Martial  business  in  that  district. 

On  July  4th  the  non-veterans  who  had  been  with  the 
!)l)th  Illinois  in  Texas  rejoined  the  regiment.  They 
left  us  on  Sept.  17th  for  home,  going  by  sea  to  New 
York  as  guard  for  rebel  prisoners. 

It  would  not  be  interesting  to  recall  the  unimportant 
events  of  each  day  of  our  long  stay  on  the  railroad. 
Lt.  Col.  Potter  resigned  Sept.  17th  and  Major  Elliott 
succeeded  to  the  rank,  ("apt.  Pope,  senior  captain,  fol 
lowing  as  major.  For  want  of  anything  of  importance 
to  recount  during  these  dull  days,  1  will  relate  an  inci 
dent  that  happened  at  Terre  Bonne. 

This  station  was  the  distributing  point  for  the  sur 
rounding  plantations,  large  supplies  being  shipped 
from  New  Orleans  and  stored  there,  and  I  was  respon 
sible  for  their  safe  keeping.  A  guard  from  Company  E 
was  kept  over  the  merchandise  day  and  night,  but  day 
after  day  complaint  came  to  me  from  the  planters  that 
a  great  deal  of  their  stuff'  was  missing.  I  questioned 
the  guard  and  searched  the  cook  tent  and  company 
quarters  again. and  again,  but  found  none  of  the  miss- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


57 


ing  articles.  The  abstractions  continued  right  along 
and  complaint  was  carried  to  headquarters  at  New  Or 
leans,  and  I  was  severely  taken  to  task  in  regard  to  it, 
but  my  best  efforts  made  no  discovery.  After  the  war 
I  was  told  by  some  members  of  Company  E  that  they 
had  dug  a  cellar  near  their  quarters  and  covered  it  with 
plank,  on  which  earth  was  thrown  and  the  cook  fire 
built  on  top  of  it.  With  the  connivance  of  the  guard 
they  had  taken  these  supplies  from  the  warehouse  at 
night  and  placed  them  in  this  cellar,  and  used  them 
when  wanted.  This  company  lived  for  weeks  and 
months  on  the  best  there  was  in  the  New  Orleans 
market. 

After  staying  at  Brashear  and  along  the  railroad  for 
nine  months  and  thirteen  days,  we  received  the  wel 
come  order  to  join  the  expedition  to  operate  against 
Mobile,  and  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  March  2nd, 
18(>5,  the  companies  were  picked  up  at  the  several  sta 
tions,  beginning  at  Bayou  Boeuf.  I  was  in  command  of 
the  regiment,  Col.  Lippincott  being  absent.  The  train 
was  a  mixed  one  of  flat  and  box  cars,  carrying  all  our  bag 
gage  and  horses.  Many  of  the  men  were  on  top  of  the 
box  cars.  After  Company  B  had  been  taken  on  at  La- 
Fourche  and  Des  Allemandes  there  was  only  left  Com 
pany  H  at  Boutee,  some  seven  or  eight  miles  distant. 
We  were  now  considerably  behind  time,  and  the  train 
from  New  Orleans  was  nearly  due  at  Boutee.  I  in 
quired  of  the  conductor  if  he  could  make  that  station 
before  the  other  train  was  due  to  leave  it.  He  replied 
that  he  could,  and  we  went  ahead  at  quite  a  high  rate 
of  speed.  I  had  some  anxiety  about  meeting  the  train 
from  New  Orleans,  and  was  leaning  from  the  door  of 
the  baggage  car  near  the  rear  of  the  train  looking  for 
ward.  Suddenly  I  saw  a  horse  running  close  alongside 
the  track,  and  then  dart  in  front  of  the  engine.  In 
stantly  the  second  car  from  the  tender  left  the  track 
and  was  thrown  broadside  around,  and  those  behind  it 
crashed  into  it  and  each  other ;  cars  were  crushed  to 
fragments,  and  the  rails  of  the  track  torn  up  and 
driven  through  them.  The  whole  train,  except  a  few 
cars  at  the  rear,  tilled  and  covered  with  men,  was  a 
horrible  wreck. 

The  men  had  been  in  a  very  gale  of  joy,  singing  and 
shouting  at  the  happy  release  from  the  pestilential 
swamps.  Now  they  were  to  see  a  more  active  life  and 
be  able -to  do  something  to  bring  the  war  to  an  end  and 
go  home.  In  an  instant  the  happy  shouting  was 
changed  to  cries  and  shrieks  for  help  from  beneath  the 
shattered  cars.  Every  effort  was  made  to  release  the 
wounded  and  imprisoned  men,  each  company  working 
frantically  to  help  its  own  members;  and  how  they  did 
work  !— perhaps  not  always  to  the  best  advantage,  but 
with  a  frenzy  that  told  of  the  affection  they  had  for 
their  suffering  comrades. 

It  was  a  horrible  scene,  worse  than  any  battle,  and 
witli  none  of  its  honors.  Company  A,  being  near  the 
head  of  the  train,  suffered  the  most.  Brave,  splendid 
1st  Sergeant  Spillman  F.  Willis,  who  carried  the  flag  at 
Vicksburg,  and  who  was  loved  not  only  by  his  com 


pany,  but  by  the  entire  regiment,  was  ground  to  dust; 
Ho  well,  Greening,  Walker  and  Wolf,  of  A,  were  killed. 
Melvin,  Walden  and  Webster,  of  D,  and  Barkley  of  G, 
were  killed  ;  seventy-two  of  the  regiment  were  wounded, 
some  of  them  soon  died.  One  young  soldier  of  Co.  D 
had  both  feet  cut  off,  and  I  believe  is  still  living  at 
Springfield,  Illinois. 

There  was  one  spectacle  in  all  this  terrible  scene  that 
could  not  but  be  admired.  I  know  that  all  members  of 
the  33rd  will  remember  my  dun  horse  with  a  white 
mane  and  tail.  No  finer  styled  horse  ever  wore  a 
bridle.  The  flat  car  he  was  on  was  shoved  up  on  the 
one  in  front  of  it,  and  he  stood  there  quietly  and  un 
hurt,  high  above  the  wreck.  No  finer  equestrian  statue 
was  ever  looked  at. 

It  was  a  forlorn  and  badly  broken  up  regiment  that 
went  into  Algiers  that  night.  The  wounded  were  taken 
to  the  hospitals  in  New  Orleans,  and  the  regiment 
across  the  river  and  quartered  in  a  cotton  press. 

On  the  7th  the  33rd  marched  four  miles  down  Canal 
street  to  Lake  Pontchartrain  and  went  into  camp  on 
the  Metaire  race  course.  It  was  detained  here  ten  days, 
when  companies  B,  D,  H  and  I  left  on  the  steamer 
Battle  for  Fort  Gaines,  on  Mobile  Bay,  the  others  fol 
lowing  on  the  Peerless.  Arrived  at  Fort  Gaines  at  noon 
next  day,  bivouacked  in  the  sand  near  the  pier  that 
night,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day 
boarded  an  old  ramshackle  stern  wheel  boat,  the  Re 
serve,  and  crossed  the  bay  and  anchored  in  Navy 
Cove,  not  far  from  Fort  Morgan. 

While  crossing  there  was  a  strong  wind  blowing  in 
from  the  gulf  and  the  crazy  old  river  craft  we  were  on 
strained  and  bent  at  an  alarming  rate.  It  was  another 
scary  sea  experience  for  the  33rd,  and  many  of  the  men 
pulled  off  their  coats  and  shoes  on  what  seemed  a  fair 
chance  of  having  to  swim  ashore.  On  the  trip  we 
passed  over  the  course  taken  by  Farragut's  fleet  on  the 
5th  of  August  before,  when  the  monitor  Tecumseh  was 
blown  up  and  Commander  Craven  and  nearly  his  whole 
crew  were  lost,  and  where  the  fierce  battle  was  had 
with  the  rebel  ram  Tennessee. 

On  the  21st  we  entered  Fish  river,  a  narrow  and  tor 
tuous  stream,  and  after  twelve  miles  went  ashore  at 
Daniel's  Mill.  At  this  place  we  joined  the  1st  Brigade, 
1st  Division,  Kith  Corps.  The  brigade  was  composed 
of  the  33rd  Illinois,  10th  Minnesota  and  72nd  and  95th 
Ohio.  Col.  McMillan  of  the  95th  commanded  the  bri - 
gade,  Gen.  John  McArthur  the  division,  and  (Jen.  A. 
J.  Smith  the  corps.  Gen.  Can  by  was  in  command  of 
all  the  forces. 

An  advance  was  now  begun  toward  frhe  defenses  of 
Mobile,  intrenching  every  time  we  stopped — a  needless 
precaution,  as  there  were  only  small  scouting  parties  in 
our  front.  A  line  of  battle  was  formed  at  the  crack  of 
every  gun  in  the  distance.  In  this  way  the  brigade  ar 
rived  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Spanish  fort,  formed  line  of  battle  and  advanced  into  a 
ravine  partly  open  to  the  rebel  works  and  camped  in 
the  rain.  We  were  greeted  with  quite  a  lively  fusilade 


58 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


of  shells  and  musket  halls,  and  it  seemed  much  like  our 
advance  on  Vicksburg.  Davy  of  Company  H  was 
wounded  in  his  tent  on  this  evening.  Col.  Lippincott 
was  now  in  command  of  the  regiment. 

Next  morning  we  moved  to  another  ravine  and  built 
log  and  earth  works  for  protection.  Cutting  of  C  and 
Sergeant  Keys  of  B  were  wounded.  During  the  night 
there  was  heavy  firing  and  the  troops  were  called  into 
line,  but  there  was  nothing  particular  the  matter,  and 
all  the  time  there  were  heavy  details  from  the  regiment 
at  work  on  the  saps  and  trenches.  On  the  30th  Sergt. 
Lott  of  C  was  wounded  while  at  the  breastworks,  and  a 
large  piece  of  shell  went  through  the  tent  of  the  orderly 
of  Company  B.  Next  day  Gilmore  of  G  had  his  ankle 
crushed  by  a  piece  of  shell  and  Whiteman  of  the  same 
company  was  wounded  in  the  head  while  lying  in  his 
tent.  April  1st  was  comparatively  a  quiet  day,  there 
not  being  much  firing,  and  nothing  of  importance  oc 
curred  within  the  next  two  days. 

At  5  :00  p.  m.  on  the  4th  a  bombardment  all  along  the 
line  took  place  and  continued  until  seven.  Thompson 
of  Company  I  was  killed  at  this  time.  Our  sap  was 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  fort  on  the  oth,  and  the  ex 
change  of  shots  was  very  brisk  and  was  kept  up  for  the 
next  two  days.  On  one  of  these  days  the  whole  regi 
ment,  under  my  command,  was  sent  into  the  trenches 
to  protect  those  at  work  on  the  advanced  saps.  It  was 
an  exceedingly  busy  time,  as  the  Confederates  had  im 
provised  some  mortars,  made  from  pine  logs  and 
bound  with  iron  bands,  with  which  they  tossed  shells 
into  the  trenches  almost  every  minute  of  the  day. 
These  shells  could  easily  be  seen  in  their  flight  and 
were  generally  successfully  dodged,  but  it  kept  the  men 
very  busy  running  backward  and  forward  and  around 
corners  the  day  long. 

We  stayed  in  the  trenches  all  night,  and  I  remember 
that  it  was  exceedingly  difficult  to  keep  the  tired  men 
awake;  and  I  remember  also  that  it  was  the  first  night 
in  my  life  that  I  passed  without  a  wink  of  sleep.  On 
the  8th  a  shell  from  one  of  our  own  cannon  severely 
wounded  Sergeant  Lott  and  another  man  of  Company 
C,  and  Strowbridge  of  Company  B  was  mortally 
wounded  by  the  same  shell;  Strowbridge  died  April 
10th.  Cauffman  of  K  was  wounded  later  in  the  day. 
This  was  the  third  time  he  had  been  wounded  in  battle. 
At  midnight  loud  cheering  announced  the  evacuation  of 
the  Spanish  fort,  and  our  brigade,  with  others,  marched 
in  and  took  possession.  Five  mortars  and  twenty-five 
guns  were  found  in  the  fort.  This  was  our  last  battle. 

Next  day,  the  9th  of  April,  our  division  was  in  re 
serve  while  the  3rd  division  stormed  the  works  at 
Blakely,  four  miles  from  the  Spanish  fort,  to  our  right, 
capturing  a  large  number  of  prisoners  and  three  general 
officers,  Liddell,  Thomas  and  Cockerell,  the  last  of 
whom  is  now  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate 
from  Missouri.  This  was  the  last  battle  of  the  war, 
and  it  was  on  this  day  that  Lee  surrendered  to  Grant  at 
Appomattox. 
Gen.  Grant  had  suggested  the  capture  of  Mobile  al 


most  at  the  beginning  of  the  rebellion,  and  urged  it 
four  different  times  afterward,  and  it  is  a  little  strange 
that  it  was  the  last  job  that  was  done.  Here,  as  at 
Vicksburg,  we  had  no  chance  to  see  the  captured  city, 
but  were  put  on  the  road  at  once.  Marched  at  10  a.  m.  on 
the  9th,  and  crossed  Spanish  river  on  a  pontoon  bridge, 
and,  after  five  miles,  camped  on  a  pine  ridge.  Stayed 
at  this  place  on  the  10th,  and  moved  but  two  miles  on 
the  next  day.  Company  K,  which  had  been  left  at 
New  Orleans  to  guard  baggage,  came  to  us  here. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  a  salute  of  100  guns  was 
fired  in  celebration  of  the  raising  of  the  National  Flag 
over  Fort  Sumter ;  we  then  marched  nine  miles.  The 
next  day  the  33rd  was  rear  guard  for  a  supply  train,  al 
ways  a  hard  service,  and  had  a  slow  but  tiresome 
tramp  until  11  :0()  o'clock  at  night.  On  the  15th  we 
put  eighteen  miles  behind  us,  and  made  the  same  dis 
tance  the  next  day.  Moved  nine  miles  on  the  17th, 
crossing  the  Little  Escambia  river ;  eighteen  miles  on 
the  18th  and  fifteen  the  following  day.  On  the  20th, 
waited  for  the  2nd  and  3rd  divisions  to  pass  with  their 
trains,  and  then  marched  nine  miles  through  deep  mud 
and  camped  near  Greenville,  Ala. 

All  these  years  I  have  remembered  this  town  of 
Greenville  on  account  of  a  horse  incident,  which  I 
doubt  the  propriety  of  relating,  as  it  was  of  interest  to 
no  one  but  myself,  and  I  only  do  so  to  lay  the  founda 
tion  for  the  mentioning  of  another  horse  affair  which 
occurred  two  days  later. 

When  Lieut.  Fyffe  went  home  on  furlough,  some 
time  before,  I  requested  him  to  .buy  me  the  best  saddle 
horse  he  could  find  in  McLean  county.  He  purchased 
a  four-year-old  black  horse  in  Bloomington  for  which 
he  paid  $2.50.00.  I  received  the  horse  while  we  were  in 
camp  at  Lake  Pontchartrain,  and  rode  him  just  once 
over  the  shell  road  to  New  Orleans  and  return,  when 
he  was  taken  sick.  With  the  greatest  difficulty  I  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  him  as  far  as  Greenville,  where  he 
had  to  be  abandoned.  Feeling  quite  bad  over  leaving 
my  horse,  and  knowing  we  were  in  a  region  famed  for 
its  fine  horses,  I  requested  Sam  Carnes  of  Company  E 
and  "Major"  Anderson  of  Company  H,  who  were  act 
ing  as  orderlies  at  headquarters,  to  get  out  into  the 
country  and  buy  me  the  best  one  that  could  be  found. 
The  day  we  left  Greenville  they  took  a  scout  and  found 
a  splendid  young  chestnut  mare,  which  the  people  on 
the  plantation  where  they  purchased  her  said  was  a 
thoroughbred  Glencoe,  and  she  looked  it  every  inch. 
The  next  day  these  same  two  soldiers  took  this  mare 
and  another  horse  I  had  and  went  on  a  foraging  expe 
dition.  While  at  dinner,  about  a  mile  from  the  road, 
they  were  surrounded  by  a  squad  of  Confederate  caval 
ry.  Carnes  was  severely  wounded,  and  the  "Major" 
received  a  bad  shot  through  the  leg.  All  the  money 
they  had  and  other  personal  effects  were  taken.  Of 
course  I  lost  both  my  horses  and  a  saddle  in  addition. 
In  some  way  Carnes  succeeded  in  getting  "Major" 
Anderson  to  the  roadside  by  the  time  we  passed,  and 
there  I  found  them,  a  very  sorry  looking  pair.  Count- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


59 


ing  the  mare  at  the  same  price  as  the  horse  I  had  left  at 
Greenville,  and  I  think  she  was  worth  a  great  deal  more, 
I  had  lost  about  $700  worth  of  horse  flesh  in  two  days. 

We  remained  at  Greenville  on  the  22nd,  where  Gen. 
Grierson  with  his  cavalry  overtook  us,  bringing  the 
official  news  of  Lee's  surrender.  There  was  great  re 
joicing  among  the  troops,  and  a  salute  was  fired  by  the 
batteries. 

On  the  23rd  we  moved  eighteen  miles  on  the  road  to 
Montgomery,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  25th  marched 
into  that  beautiful  city  and  saw  the  National  Flag  wav 
ing  from  the  first  capitol  of  the  Confederacy.  This 
building  was  an  attractive  place  for  the  Union  soldiers, 
and  they  thronged  through  it  every  day  of  our  stay. 
They  organized  a  Congress  in  the  Assembly  rooms, 
with  delegates  from  every  command  in  the  corps ;  elect 
ed  a  President  pro  tern  of  the  Senate,  and  a  Speaker  of 
the  House,  and  formally  abolished  the  Ordinance  of 
Secession  passed  by  the  first  Confederate  Congress. 
Tried  Jefferson  Davis  for  high  treason,  and  sentenced 
him  to  be  hung;  passed  a  law  increasing  the  pay  of  the 
private  soldier  to  $100.00  per  month,  and  changed  the 
army  rations  from  hard  bread  and  salt  pork  to  roast 
beef,  turkey  with  cranberry  sauce,  oysters  and  pie. 
War  was  formally  declared  against  England  and  France 
and  an  expedition  organized  to  drive  Maximilian  out 
of  Mexico,  of  which  a  private  in  the  33rd  Illinois  was 
given  chief  command. 

On  Monday,  May  1st,  sixteen  days  after  the  occur 
rence,  Gen.  Canby  issued  the  official  announcement  of 
the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln ;  flags  were 
placed  at  half  mast,  and  half-hour  guns  fired  through 
out  the  day.  On  the  4th  news  came  of  the  surrender 
of  Johnston. 

At  5  :00  a.  m.  on  the  10th  our  division  started  west, 
the  33rd  in  advance,  and  moved  eight  miles,  passing 
through  the  beautiful  little  village  of  Prattville,  where 
there  was  a  cotton  factory.  On  the  12th  inarched 
eighteen  miles,  and  twenty-two  on  the  13th.  The  fol 
lowing  day  moved  through  Selma  and  a  mile  and  a 
half  beyond,  having  come  eleven  miles.  Remained  in 
this  camp  one  day,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  14th 
went  on  board  flat  cars  and  reached  Demopolis,  a  dis 
tance  of  fifty  miles,  at  4  p.  m.,  and  crossed  the  Tom- 
bigbee  on  a  little  steamer  with  a  scow  attached  and 
camped  near  the  river.  At  this  place  a  Mr.  Todd,  a 
Confederate  officer,  attracted  considerable  attention  ;  he 
was  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Abraham  Lincoln. 

At  5:30  a.  m.  on  the  17th  marched  three  miles  to 
McDowell's  station  and  went  on  board  train  again  for 
Meridian,  Miss.,  fifty  miles  distant.  The  road  was  in 
a  most  dangerous  condition.  Every  bridge  swayed  and 
cracked,  and  remembering  our  late  disaster  on  the  New 
Orleans  road,  we  would  have  much  preferred  to  make 
the  journey  on  foot.  Arrived  at  Meridian  at  dark,  and 
went  into  camp  near  the  town.  On  the  19th  our  camp 
was  moved  a  short  distance  and  made  quite  pleasant 
among  the  large  pine  trees,  headquarters  being  in  a  log 
house  near  by.  We  were  destined  to  stay  in  this  place 


for  a  long  time,  but  a  statement  of  our  life  and  services 
from  day  to  day  will  be  unnecessary,  as  they  Avere  al 
together  uneventful. 

Now  began  in  the  33rd  a  restlessness  that  had  never 
appeared  before.  The  war  was  over  and  the  Union 
saved,  and  the  soldiers  could  not  be  convinced  that 
there  was  any  good  reason  why  they  should  not  be  sent 
home  at  once.  Other  regiments  were  going  all  the 
time,  which  added  to  the  exasperation  of  our  being  de 
tained.  Guards  for  picket  duty  were  required  when 
there  was  no  enemy,  guards  for  the  trains  to  Mobile, 
guards  for  this,  that  and  the  other.  Large  fatigue  par 
ties  were  asked  for  to  load  and  unload  trains  and  many 
other  services  not  usually  required  of  soldiers,  and  they 
did  not  perform  them  with  any  degree  of  cheerfulness. 
However,  it  was  not  all  bad,  as  the  camp  was  pleasant 
and  healthful  and  we  were  in  telegraphic  communica 
tion  with  other  parts  of  the  country.  There  were  fre 
quent  drills,  and  the  regiment  became  very  proficient 
in  the  bayonet  exercise,  a  feature  which  was  added  to 
dress  parade  and  made  it  very  attractive.  The  captains 
in  succession  were  required  to  take  command  at  dress 
parade  just  for  the  experience,  and  mistakes  were  care 
fully  watched  for.  It  was  quite  a  distinction  for  the 
officer  who  could  conduct  a  parade  without  an  error. 

A  tribe  of  Choctaw  Indians  came  from  their  reserva 
tion  and  camped  close  by  and  sold  blackberries  to  the 
soldiers.  They  gave  a  war  dance  and  exhibitions  of  In 
dian  ball  playing.  They  chose  sides,  about  twenty  on  a 
side ;  one  side  was  dressed  with  horse  tails  fastened  to 
the  small  of  the  back,  the  other  with  the  tails  of  the  deer. 
They  wore  no  other  clothing.  The  ground  was  laid  oft' 
in  about  the  shape  and  dimensions  of  a  foot  ball  field. 
Two  logs  about  twelve  feet  long  were  split,  and  two 
halves  were  placed  upright  in  the  ground,  about  six 
inches  apart,  at  each  end  of  the  field.  The  game  was 
to  throw  the  ball  through  the  space  between  the  two 
halves  of  the  logs.  The  ball  was  not  to  be  touched  with 
the  hands,  but  was  caught  and  thrown  with  two  spoon- 
shaped  arrangements,  with  handles  three  feet  long. 
This  was  done  with  surprising  accuracy.  The  game 
was  begun  by  the  ball  being  tossed  high  in  the  air  in 
the  midde  of  the  field,  when  every  "Injun",  except  a 
guard  at  each  post,  went  for  it  with  his  spoons.  The 
scrimmage  that  followed  would  make  a  foot  ball  game 
of  this  day  seem  tame.  The  running  of  those  aborig 
ines  with  the  horse  and  deer  tails  bobbing  behind, 
was  the  "greatest  show  on  earth". 

A  grand  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July  was  held 
in  camp,  where  speeches  were  made  by  the  members  of 
the  regiment,  and  Capt.  Lewis  read  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  The  barbaric  Fugitive  Slave  Law  had 
gone,  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  had  been  issued, 
and  the  Declaration  now  seemed  to  mean  something. 

On  May  24th  we  distinctly  heard  the  explosion  of 
ammunition  at  Mobile,  more  than  100  miles  away, 
which  knocked  down  many  blocks  of  buildings. 
Lieuts.  Sheeler  and  Moore  were  in  the  city  with  a  de 
tail  of  the  regiment,  but  none  was  seriously  injured. 


60 


PICTURES  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF. 


FIRST  ASST.  SURGEON  NATHAN  W.  ABBOTT. 


FIRST  ASST.  SURGEON  EDWINI/VUY. 


SECOND  ASST.  SURGEON  HENRY  T.  ANTIS. 


SECOND  ASST.  SURGEON  OLIVER  P.  REX. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


61 


Col.  Lippincott  was  sent  to  Selma  to  sit  on  a  military 
commission,  and  Major  Pope  to  the  same  place  as  In 
spector  General  of  Division.  Other  officers  were  de 
tailed  at  different  places  on  Courts  Martial.  On  Aug.  8 
Companies  A  and  F  were  sent  to  Quitman  to  collect 
arms  and  assist  in  getting  in  cotton.  Company  C  had 
been  sent  to  Enterprise  on  July  20th,  so  that  for  a  time 
those  remaining  were  quite  lonesome. 

In  July  the  regiment  received  transfers  of  men  whose 
term  of  service  had  not  expired,  from  the  72nd,  117th, 
122nd  and  124th  Illinois.  This  filled  the  regiment  to 
the  maximum  and  brought  about  promotions  in  all  the 
companies. 

On  August  12th  Companies  B,  E,  G  and  H  were  sent 
to  Enterprise,  leaving  I  and  K  at  Meridian.  We  ex 
pected  to  remain  at  Enterprise  some  time,  hut  while  at 
church  next  day  I  was  handed  a  telegram  ordering  the 
companies  back  to  Meridian,  preparatory  to  going  to 
Vicksburg.  I  received  this  dispatch  with  much  more 
satisfaction  than  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis  did  a  telegram  in 
church  on  the  3rd  of  April  before.  At  three  o'clock 
next  morning  we  left  by  train  for  Meridian,  and  the 
following  morning  all  the  regiment  but  Company  K 
started  for  Jackson  by  rail.  Col.  Lippincott  remained  in 
command  of  the  Post  at  Meridian.  We  arrived  at 
Jackson  at  5  :00  p.  m.  and  moved  out  ten  miles  to  Clin 
ton  and  camped  at  ten  o'clock  at  night  without  tents 
or  baggage.  This  was  our  fourth  trip  over  this  road, 
and  it  ceased  to  have  any  interest  except  viewing  our 
former  battle  grounds. 

On  Aug.  17th  we  were  quartered  in  the  "Marine 
Barracks"  at  Vicksburg,  a  most  uncomfortable  location. 
We  stayed  in  these  barracks  until  Aug.  31st,  when  we 
moved  to  "Lincoln  Barracks",  a  fine  situation  on  a 
hill  overlooking  the  river.  We  occupied  these  quarters 
until  Oct.  14th.  Col.  Lippincott  resigned  on  Sept.  10th 
and  came  through  Vicksburg  on  his  way  home  on  the 
14th.  Lieut.  Col.  Elliott  succeeded  as  Colonel,  Major 
Pope  as  Liout.  Colonel,  and  Capt.  Gray  of  Company  F 
was  made  Major.  Dr.  Rex  and  Assistant  Surgeon 
Oliver  P.  Rex  rejoined  the  regiment  from  detached  ser 
vice  on  Sept.  22nd.  Capt.  Geo.  E.  Smith  came  hack 
on  the  21st,  after  an  absence  of  fifteen  months  as  Prov 
ost  Marshal  at  Baton  Rouge. 

Since  Aug.  14th,  the  regiment  had  been  called  upon 
continually  to  load  and  unload  steamboats  and  to  do 
other  labor  of  similar  character.  This  service  would 
have  been  cheerfully  performed  while  the  war  was  on, 
but  now  that  it  was  over  and  they  were  crazy  to  go 
home  the  men  several  times  were  on  the  verge  of  revolt. 
Finally,  more  to  get  us  out  of  the  way  than  anything 
else,  companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  E  and  F  were  sent  to  Ya- 
zoo  City  and  the  other  four  up  the  river  tc  Greenville. 
I  had  applied  almost  every  day  to  Generals  Slocum, 
Woods  and  Force,  who  were  successively  in  command 
at  Vicksburg,  and  written  the  war  department  for  the 
muster-out  of  the  regiment,  but  without  success. 

On  Monday,  Nov.  14th,  I  came  down  from  Yazoo  to 
Vickshurg  and  obtained  an  order  from  Gen.  Osterhaus, 


who  was  then  in  command,  for  the  muster-out  of  the 
33rd.  Captains  Lewis  and  Dutton  were  in  the  city  as 
members  of  a  Court  Martial.  They  secured  a  release 
and  started  back  with  me  that  night  for  Yazoo,  and  at 
eleven  o'clock  next  day  we  gave  the  good  news  to  a 
shouting  and  happy  regiment. 

The  preparation  of  the  muster-out  rolls  at  once  began 
and  continued  day  and  night.  Lieut.  Rozeine,  muster 
ing  officer,  came  up  on  the  22nd,  and  next  day  mus 
tered  out  the  companies  by  roll  call  on  the  levee,  the 
muster-out  being  dated  November  24th. 

We  left  Ya/oo  at  dark  on  the  Cairo  Belle  and  were  at 
Vicksburg  at  2:00  p.  m.  next  day.  At  10:00  p.  m.  we 
embarked  on  the  fine  steamer  Julia  and  started  up  the 
river,  taking  Lieut.  Rozeine  with  us  to  muster  out  the 
companies  at  Greenville.  As  the  boat  neared  the  town 
about  ten  o'clock  next  night,  the  drum  corps  struck  up 
the  "Village  Quickstep",  and  at  once  there  came  an 
swering  cheers  from  the  companies  awaiting  us.  How 
the  shores  echoed  with  "John  Brown"  and  "Home 
Sweet  Home",  poured  from  happy  soldier  hearts  re 
turning  to  friends  and  home.  Lieut.  Rozeine  landed  and 
mustered  out  the  four  companies  and  they  came  on  board 
There  was  little  sleep  on  board  the  Julia  that  night. 

Next  day  took  011  fifty  cords  of  wood  and  three  hun 
dred  boxes  of  coal  at  Napoleon,  the  33rd  assisting  with 
great  good  will.  There  was  now  no  objection  to  coaling 
a  steamboat.  On  the  27th  we  were  at  Memphis  and 
tied  up  for  two  hours,  the  men  threatening  to  cut  the 
cable.  I  telegraphed  to  Cairo  to  arrange  for  a  train  to 
Springfield.  Arrived  at  Cairo  at  2:00  a.  m.  on  the 
29th,  landed  and  built  fires  and  stayed  around  them 
until  morning,  secured  a  special  train  of  twenty-seven 
cars,  and  left  for  Springfield  at  10 :00  a.  m.  Had  a 
good  lunch  at  Duquoin,  supper  at  Centralia  and  break 
fast  at  Decatur,  and  arrived  at  Camp  Butler  at  10:00  a. 
m.,  Thursday,  Nov.  30th.  In  the  afternoon  the  regi 
ment  was  formed  in  double  column  and  was  addressed 
by  Gov.  Oglesby,  Adjt.  Gen.  Haynie  and  Hon.  New 
ton  Bateman.  Col.  Lippincott  was  also  present  to 
greet  us.  The  next  four  days  were  passed  in  making 
out  discharges,  turning  over  government  property  and 
waiting  for  the  paymaster. 

It  was  very  imporant  that  I  should  reach  my  home 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  on  the  5th  of  December  I  vis 
ited  each  company  in  its  quarters  and  bid  its  members 
good-bye.  In  all  my  life  I  do  not  recall  a  harder  trial 
than  the  separation  from  the  men  and  officers  with 
whom  I  had  been  so  long  associated.  The  National 
Flag  we  had  carried  in  many  battles  and  on  many 
weary  marches  was  taken  to  the  parade  ground  and 
given  three  good-bye  cheers.  They  were  the  last  cheers 
given  the  Old  Flag  by  the  Thirty-Third  Illinois  Veter 
an  Volunteers.  On  the  forenoon  of  the  6th  the  men 
were  paid  by  Major  Carnahan  and  hurried  to  their 
homes.  Next  day  the  officers  were  paid,  all  regimental 
affairs  adjusted,  all  government  property  turned  over, 
and  the  service  of  the  Thirty-Third  Illinois  Veteran 
Volunteers  in  the  great  Civil  War  was  finished. 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
OUR  FLAGS.-CONCLUSION. 

Fair  is  our  flag— "Flag  of  the  Free!" 
But  the  truths  it  announces  are  fairer. 
Rare  is  our  flag  in  its  beauty  ; 
But  its  mystical  teachings  are  rarer. 

White  are  the  stars  in  the  union  ; 
But  the  justice  they  stand  for  is  whiter. 
Bright  are  the  red  and  white  stripes; 
But  the  glory  they  tell  of  is  brighter. 

Clear  are  its  colors  resplendent ; 

But  the  rights  they  assure  are  clearer. 

Dear  are  our  memories  of  it ; 

But  our  hopes  for  its  future  are  dearer. 

— Robert  Allen  Campbell . 


The  sentiment  of  the  old  soldier  for  the  flag  of  his 
regiment  can  not  be  described.  The  bond  that  fastens 
soldiers  together  in  its  peculiar  strength  and  steadfast 
firmness,  is  represented  by  the  Flag.  In  battle  it  is  the 
symbol  of  the  courage  and  honor  of  those  who  follow 
it.  The  soldier  will  desert  a  wounded  and  dying  com 
rade  to  go  with  it  to  certain  death,  and  where  it  will  be 
passed  from  one  dying  grasp  to  another,  and  then  an 
other,  and  still  another,  so  long  as  a  single  star  or  a 
single  stripe  or  thread  of  silk  remains,  or  until  the  last 
drop  of  blood  has  been  spilled.  It  is  to  him  the  glory 
and  majesty  of  his  country.  It  is  the  emblem  of  his 
native  land.  Around  it  cluster  stirring  memories  of 
march  and  battle,  and  recollections  of  heroic  deeds. 
After  many  years,  when  the  few  that  are  left  gather 
about  it,  they  do  not  greet  it  with  cheers  and  shout 
ings,  but  in  silence  and  with  reverent  tears. 

My  heart  has  been  thrilled  a  thousand  times  when  I 
have  seen  the  color  guard  of  the  33rd  march  to  its  place 
on  the  color  line.  What  splendid  young  fellows  they 
were,  selected  for  their  known  courage  and  soldierly 
bearing!  How  firmly  and  proudly  they  stood,  the  flags 
lovingly  flapping  their  bronzed  faces,  while  the  battal 
ion  formed  upon  the  colors !  To  belong  to  the  color 
guard  was  a  distinction.  To  carry  the  National  Flag 
in  battle  was  the  highest  honor  that  could  be  given  a 
soldier.  How  splendid  was  the  color  bearer  as  he  held 
the  flag  high  above  his  head  in  the  storm  of  shot  and 
shell  as  a  beacon  to  his  comrades  !  And  how  the  fight 
ing  soldier,  teeth  set,  eyes  aflame  and  face  black  with 
powder,  looked  toward  it  from  time  to  time  to  see  that 
all  was  well!  What  an  inspiration  it  was  to  seethe 
flags  dotting  the  long  line  of  battle,  the  National  colors 
in  front,  those  of  the  State  close  behind.  The  Nation 
first,  then  the  State.  To  maintain  this  the  battles  of 
the  Civil  War  were  fought. 

In  memory  we  see   our  flag  floating  above  the  bayo 


nets  and  gleaming  guns  of  our  regiment.  We  see  it  in 
the  open  wood  and  tangled  thickets,  in  swamp  and 
field,  in  ravine  and  valley,  creeping  up  the  hill  slopes, 
dancing  in  the  breeze,  waving  defiantly,  and  always 
fluttering  to  the  front  amid  smoke  and  flame  and  burst 
ing  shells. 

These  memories,  and  the  recollection  of  those  who 
fell  beneath  it,  sanctify  and  glorify  it  in  the  heart  of 
every  soldier  who  marched  and  fought  in  the  ranks  of 
the  33rd.  Our  Flag  means  for  us  four  of  the  freshest 
and  most  memorable  years  of  our  lives.  It  means 
friendships  that  have  continued  unbroken  and  undi- 
minished  for  nearly  half  a  century,  and  will  continue 
until  the  last  comrade  folds  his  hands  in  final  "parade 
rest". 

Within  late  years  many  inquiries  have  come  to  me 
from  members  of  the  regiment  as  to  the  flags  we  car 
ried  in  the  service.  Under  what  circumstances  were 
they  received?  What  disposition  was  made  of  them? 
The  flag  used  by  the  33rd  from  its  organization  up  to 
October  20th,  1861,  was  one  presented  by  the  women  of 
Bloomington  to  the  "Normal  Rifles",  and  was  carried 
by  that  company  before  its  connection  with  the  regi 
ment.  What  became  of  the  flag,  I  do  not  know.  [This 
flag  was  taken  care  of  by  Col.  Charles  E.  Hovey,  and 
at  his  death  was  presented  to  Capt.  J.  H.  Burnham 
of  Bloomington,  who  now  has  it  in  his  possession. — V. 
G.  Way.] 

At  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  October  20th,  18(>1, 
at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  Mr.  Benjamin  R.  Cutler,  a  represen 
tative  of  the  teachers  of  Chicago,  presented  the  33rd 
with  a  stand  of  colors  which  cost  $130.00.  Mr.  Cutler 
made  a  most  fitting  address,  which  was  appropriately 
responded  to  by  Col.  Hovey.  The  regiment  started  that 
same  afternoon  for  Fredericktown,  carrying  its  new  and 
greatly  pri/ed  flags. 

Those  colors  were  carried  until  after  Vicksburg,  when 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


63 


they  had  become  much  faded,  worn  and  tattered.  Af 
ter  the  regiment  had  returned  from  Jackson  and  was  in 
camp  on  the  river,  Mr.  George  W.  Spofford,  Principal 
of  the  Foster  School  and  chairman  of  a  committee  of 
the  Chicago  teachers,  came  to  Vicksburg  and  presented 
the  regiment  with  a  new  stand  of  colors,  taking  the  old 
ones  with  him  on  his  return.  I  have  no  record  of  the 
exact  date  of  this  presentation. 

In  1901,  I  discovered  in  a  scrap  book,  which  had  been 
kept  by  my  mother,  a  clipping  from  the  Chicago 
"Times"  of  Dec.  14th,  186o,  which  I  regard  of  enough 
interest  to  insert  here.  It  is  likely  that  this  is  the  only 
account  in  existence  of  that  incident,  as  the  files  of  the 
Chicago  papers  were  all  burned  in  the  great  fire  of  1871 : 

THE  ILLINOIS  NORMAL  REGIMENT. 


RETURN 


OF  THE    BATTLE    COLORS  TO  THEIR 
ORIGINAL  DONORS. 


SPEECHES  BY  COL.  I.  H.  ELLIOTT,  VV.  H.  WELLS, 
B.  R.  CUTLER  AND  G.  W.  SPOFFORD. 


AN  INTERESTING  EVENT. 


The  principals  of  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  to 
gether  with  several  of  the  Hi^h  School  teachers,  met 
at  4:30  o'clock  yesterday  afternoon,  in  the  rooms  of  the 
board  of  education,  to  welcome  Col.  I.  H.  p]lliott,  of 
the  Normal  or  Thirty-Third  regiment,  and  to  receive 
again  the  flag  which  had  been  presented  to  the  regi 
ment  in  iSOH.by  the  teachers  of  the  public  schools. 

The  Normal  regiment  was  one  of  the  earliest  formed 
regiments  in  the  state,  and  was  largely  composed  of 
teachers,  one  whole  company  having  been  recruited 
from  the  State  Normal  school.  The  regiment,  at  dif 
ferent  times  during  the  war,  has  been  the  recipient  of 
two  flags  and  one  ensign,  the  donations  of  the  teachers 
of  Chicago.  All  of  these  have  now  been  returned  to 
the  custody  of  the  teachers  who  gave  them,  two  having 
been  returned  some  time  since. 

The  flag  yesterday  returned  showed  upon  its  folds  the 
marks  of  battle  and  the  trace  of  long  and  arduous  ser 
vice.  It  was  presented  to  the  regiment  just  after  the 
fall  of  Vicksburg  by  Mr.  Geo.  W.  Spofford,  Principal  of 
the  Foster  School,  and  has  been  through  the  Red  River 
expedition,  through  the  battles  of  Cache  River,  Bolivar 
and  Black  River  Bridge,  and  was  one  of  the  first  flags 
to  be  planted  on  the  bastions  of  Fort  Esperanza. 

Superintendent  Pickard  called  the  meeting  to  order, 
and,  after  making  some  general  statements  in  regard  to 
the  regiment  and  his  peculiar  interest  in  it,  as  a  regi 
ment  recruited  from  the  ranks  of  the  teachers,  intro 
duced  Col.  I.  H.  Elliott,  who  spoke  as  follows : 

"Teachers  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Chicago:— lam 
commissioned  by  my  comrades  of  the  33rd  Illinois  In 
fantry  to  return  to  you  the  banner  which  you  entrusted 
to  our  care  nearly  three  years  ago.  We  received  it  at 
Vicksburg,  and,  since  that  memorable  siege,  it  has 
been  with  us  in  all  our  wanderings  and  floated  over  us 
in  every  battle.  It  has  been  in  sight  of  the  remem 
bered  fields  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and 
waved  in  front  of  the  first  capitol  of  the  now  defunct 
Confederacy.  (!,000  miles  we  have  carried  it,  but  never 
a  step  backward.  Brave  men  have  died  beneath  its 
folds  and  now  lie  buried  on  the  plain  and  by  the  sea. 
We  held  it  as  a  sacred  trust  from  you,  and  now  give  it 
again  into  your  hands,  rent  by  battle  and  by  tempest, 
with  the  proud  satisfaction  that  we  have  done  you  no 
discredit,  and  that  we  did  what  we  were  able  for  the 
preservation  of  our  common  country.  That  flag  is  en 
veloped  by  the  devotion  of  every  soldier  who  followed 
it.  Preserve  it  in  memory  of  those  who  fell  beneath  it 
and  in  remembrance  of  the  toils  of  those  who  brought 


it  home.  Its  history  is  the  history  of  the  'Normal 
Regiment',  and  with  this  record  we  give  it  back  to  you. 

"The  teachers  of  the  public  schools  of  Chicago  have 
had,  and  ever  will  have,  our  warmest  gratitude  for 
kindness  shown  to  us  during  the  many  days  of  our 
service.  We  knew  that  you  were  our  friends  and  the 
friends  of  every  sword  and  musket  in  our  country's 
grand  army;  we  are  proud  to  have  borne  through  this 
war,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  and  even  beyond 
the  'last  ditch',  a  banner  on  which  was  inscribed: 
'Presented  by  the  teachers  of  the  public  schools  of  Chi 
cago'.  We  love  every  thread  and  fiber  of  our  dear  old 
battle  flag,  and  as  long  as  we  remember  our  comrades, 
dead  and  living,  we  will  remember  it  and  those  who 
entrusted  it  to  our  care." 

Mr.  Benjamin  R.  Cutler  responded  in  a  few  words, 
giving  a  brief  history  of  the  flag,  and  an  account  of  his 
own  presentation  of  it  to  the  regiment. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Wells,  ex-superintendent  of  schools,  being 
called  upon,  spoke  as  follows  : 

"I  know  that  I  speak  the  sentiments  of  the  teachers 
of  the  public  schools  when  I  say  this  is  a  proud  day 
for  them.  I  need  not  say  that  the  hearts  of  the  teach 
ers  at  the  time  these  flags  were  sent  to  the  Third-Third 
regiment,  beat  in  unison;  and  such  a  beating,  such  a 
throbbing  of  patriotism  would  have  done  your  hearts 
good  if  you  could  have  witnessed  the  spontaneous  gush 
of  feeling  on  all  occasions  when  we  discussed  these 
questions.  The  gentleman  who  took  his  seat  (Mr. 
Cutler)  went  at  his  own  expense,  because  he  chose  to 
do  so,  and  no  money  was  ever  given  more  heartily, 
more  spontaneously,  more  because  the  teachers  could 
not  but  give  it,  than  that  which  went  for  the  purchase 
of  this  flag.  And  there  is  no  reason  to  recount  what 
your  regiment  has  done.  We  are  proud  of  it;  we  have 
ever  been  proud  of  it.  We  have  never  heard  any  word 
detracting  from  the  spirit  of  valor  and  patriotism  that 
has,  from  first  to  last,  distinguished  your  regiment.  We 
welcome  you  with  pride  and  heartfelt  thanks.  You,  sir, 
and  your  brave  comrades,  some  of  whom  return  with 
you, 'but  many  of  whom  fell  upon  the  battlefield,  have 
protected  us,  and  we  have  not  forgotten  it.  I  know 
there  are  those  who  think  the  soldier  finds  his  reward 
in  the  glory  of  the  battlefield,  but  the  most  of  the  men 
who  went  with  your  regiment  went  with  the  spirit  of 
true  patriotism  ;  but,  while  some  of  us  could  not  go  to 
the  battlefield,  others  went  for  us,  and  for  me.  If  my 
children,  defenseless  as  they  were,  when  I  could  not 
go  to  the  battlefield— if  they  have  been  protected  by 
you,  let  me  never  forget  the  debt  of  gratitude  I  owe. 

"I  know  nations  are  not  always  grateful.  Some  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  armies  of  England  have  begged  for 
bread,  as  the  poet  says, 

'Through  lands  their  valor  saved', 

but  I  trust  it  will  never  be  said  of  us.  We  delight  to 
honor  you,  and  our  hearts  will  ever  be  filled  with 
gratitude  for  what  you  have  done  for  us  and  for  our 
common  country." 

Mr.  Geo.  W.  Spofford  Principal  of  the  Foster 
School,  then  narrated  the  incidents  connected  with  his 
journey  to  Vicksburg  to  present  the  flag  just  returned. 
He  said  it  was  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  that  the 
flag  had  been  returned  after  so  many  vicissitudes  by 
the  hands  into  whose  care  it  had  been  at  first  con 
signed,  having  never  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  As  chairman  of  the  committee  that  presented 
the  flags,  he  recommended  that  the  colors  that  had  been 
returned  to  his  hands  be  sent  to  the  state  Normal  Uni 
versity,  there  to  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the 
University  for  safe  keeping.  The  University  was  the 
headquarters  of  the  regiment,  and  it  seemed  highly 
proper  that  they  should  be  returned  there  till  the  state 
provided  for  a  general  collection  of  its  fiags. 

Mr.  Cutler  moved  that  the  colors  be  returned  to  the 
State  Normal  University  by  Col.  Elliott.  The  motion 
prevailed. 

On  our  muster-out,  not  as  I  remember  by  any  formal 
action,  but  by  the  general  consent  and  desire  of  the 
regiment,  I  was  delegated  to  return  these  flags  to  those 


64 


GENERAL  HI8TOR  Y. 


who  had  given  them.  I  took  the  flags  to  my  home  and 
within  a  few  days  to  Chicago,  where  they  were  re 
turned  as  stated  in  the  foregoing  account.  In  compli 
ance  with  the  request  of  that  meeting,  I  took  them 
direct  to  Normal  and  turned  them  over  to  President 
Hewitt.  There  was  a  meeting  in  the  chapel  of  all  the 
instructors  and  students  to  receive  them. 

While  there  is  no  mention  of  it  in  any  record  of  the 
regiment  that  I  have,  I  know  that  there  was  at  least 
one  other  stand  of  colors  carried  by  the  regiment  which 
were  drawn  from  the  government  and  which  are  now 
in  the  Flag  Room  at  Springfield. 

First  Sergeant  Ira  J.  Bloomfield,  of  Company  C,  was 
appointed  the  first  Color  Sergeant,  by  Col.  Hovey,  and 
the  flag  received  on  October  20th  was  placed  in  his 
hands  and  he  carried  it  at  Frederiektown.  Bloomfield 
was  discharged  Jan.  13th,  l<S(i2,  to  accept  a  captaincy 
in  the  2(>th  Illinois,  served  with  distinction  in  that 
regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war,  became  its  Colonel, 
and  was  made  Brevet  Brigadier  General.  He  lives  in 
Monte  Vista,  Colorado. 

Bloomfield  was  succeeded  by  Sergeant  Edward  A. 
Bird,  of  Company  E,  who  was  one  of  the  bravest  and 
finest  appearing  soldiers  in  the  regiment.  He  was 
killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22nd,  1803,  having  asked  per 
mission  "to  die  with  his  company"  that  was  to  lead  in 
the  charge. 

Sergeant  Spillman  F.  Willis  carried  the  National 
Flag  that  day  until  wounded,  when  it  was  taken 
by  Corporal  Samuel  Shaw,  of  Company  C.  Willis  was 
killed  March  2nd,  18(>o.  Who  carried  the  colors  in 
other  engagements,  I  am  not  now  able  to  state. 

Corporal  Albert  B.  (.'apron,  of  Company  B,  was  a 
member  of  the  first  color  guard.  He  was  a  son  of  the 
late  General  Horace  Capron,  and  a  second  cousin  of 
Capt.  Allyn  Capron,  of  the  "Hough  Riders",  who  was 
the  first  American  officer  to  be  killed  in  the  advance  on 
Santiago,  in  the  Spanish-American  war.  Capron  was 
discharged  in  18(52  to  accept  a  commission  in  the  14th 
Illinois  Cavalry,  and  throughout  the  war  his  career 
was  most  brilliant.  He  participated  in  twenty-three 
general  battles,  and  had  two  horses  shot  under  him 
duuring  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  Capt.  Capron  was  three 
times  made  a  prisoner  and  received  three  severe  wounds 
in  the  .service  of  his  country-  After  the  war  he  became 
purchasing  agent  for  the  Japanese  government.  He 
died  at  Winnetka,  111.,  April  9,  1901. 

There  were  scores  of  men  who  served  in  the  ranks  of 
the  33rd  who  attained  prominence  in  after  life  that  are 
quite  as  well  deserving  of  notice  as  any  that  I  have  men 
tioned,  and  I  regret  that  the  necessary  limits  of  this 
narrative  absolutely  prevent  it,  nor  is  there  space  to 
make1  particular  mention  and  give  personal  credit  for 
many  brave  deeds  performed  by  the  men  of  the  regi 
ment  during  the  war. 

Jt  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  at  least  fifty  sons  of  the 
members  of  the  33rd  were  soldiers  in  the  late  Spanish - 
American  war.  I  have-  the  records  of  but  a  few  of 
them,  but  they  are  so  conspicuous  that  I  think  them 


worthy  to  go  with  that  of  their  fathers  in  the  Civil  War. 

Henry  Newell  Way,  son  of  Comrade  Virgil  G.  Way, 
graduated  at  West  Point  in  189!)  and  was  appointed  to 
the  Fourth  Infantry,  serving  in  the  Philippine  Islands. 
For  the  bravery  and  ability  he  had  shown  in  many  en 
gagements  he  was,  by  the  recommendation  of  the  late 
Gen.  Lawton,  assigned  to  the  command  of  Native 
Scouts,  and,  while  leading  a  charge  on  the  trenches  of 
the  enemy  near  Santa  Maria,  August  28,  1900.  was 
killed.  His  commanding  officers  speak  of  him  in  the 
highest  terms,  saying,  "In  the  death  of  Lieut.  Way 
the  army  loses  one  of  its  best  and  bravest  officers." 
The  heart  of  every  member  of  the  33rd  will  go  out  in 
sympathy  'to  Comrade  Way  in  the  loss  of  his  gallant 
and  splendid  son. 

Three  of  the  sons  of  Capt.  G.  H.  Norton,  of  Com 
pany  A,  joined  Troop  B  of  Roosevelt's  Rough  Riders, 
that  was  organized  in  Arizona.  Two  of  them  were 
with  the  little  squad  that  followed  Roosevelt  on  to  the 
hill  in  advance  of  the  regiment  at  San  Juan.  Oliver 
B.  Norton  was  shot  dead  at  Roosevelt's  side.  All  of 
the  squad  of  fourteen  were  down  but  four  when  the 
regiment  came  up,  and  Edward  Norton,  a  sergeant, 
was  in  command  of  this  little  number.  Both  boys 
were  mentioned  in  Roosevelt's  report  for  conspicuous 
gallantry. 

Luke  Dicker  in  an,  of  Company  A,  had  a  son  in  the 
llth  and  one  in  the  17th  United  States  Infantry  in  the 
Philippines. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  our  reunions  have  been  so 
few  and  far  between,  and  of  those  that  have  occurred  I 
have  been  able  to  attend  but  a  small  number.  1  re 
member  our  first  at  Bloomington  in  1875,  when  James 
T.  Fields  spoke  at  our  banquet,  and  another  notable  one 
in  1890,  when  Gov.  Joseph  W.  Fifer,  who  was  killed  at 
Jackson,  but  did  not  stay  killed,  delivered  a  splendid 
address.  There  was  another  address  delivered  on  that 
occasion  by  the  wife  of  a  member  of  the  33rd  which  I 
deem  well  worthy  to  go  into  this  record.  [The  lady 
who  delivered  the  address  is  Mrs.  I.  H.  Elliott. —V.  G. 
Way.]  It  was  as  follows: 

"My  womanly  curiosity  has  been  excited  to  know  just 
why  I  have  been  invited  to  appear  upon  this  scene.  It 
may  be  that  you  have  invited  your  wives  and  sisters  to 
participate  in  this  reunion  in  order  that  they  may  not  ask 
you  so  many  questions  about,  it  when  you  get  home.  It 
may  be  that  you  have  listened  to  the  same  speeches  and 
heard  the  same  stories  so  often  that  you  want  to  see  if 
even  the  tongue  of  a  woman  may  not  pleasantly  vary 
the  monotony.  I  am  sure  that  if  you  had  heard  the 
praises  of  the  bravery,  gallantry,  patriotism  and  learn 
ing  of  the  33rd  as  often  as  I  have,  you  certainly  must 
desire  by  this  time  to  change  the  subject. 

"I  have  heard  so  much  about  the  patriotism  of  this 
regiment  that  I  begin  to  think  patriotism  is  a  rare 
commodity  in  this  country  ;  so  much  of  its  bravery,  that 
I  wonder  that  any  of  you  ever  came  back  alive;  so 
much  of  its  learning,  that  I  have  come  to  regard  it  as  a 
kind  of  perambulating  university.  It  is  said  that  your 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


65 


only  recreations  were  spelling  schools  and  recitations 
in  calculus  and  analytical  geometry. 

"Undoubtedly  you  remember  the  time  you  refused  to 
move  because  there  was  a  mis-spelled  word  in  the  order 
of  the  commanding  general.  You  renripmber  also  when 
your  first  colonel  was  struck  in  the  breast  with  a  spent 
ball  at  the  engagement  of  Cache  river,  and  that  he  was 
so  intent  upon  calculating  its  trajectory  that  he  forgot 
all  about  the  battle  and  came  near  being  taken  prison 
er ;  and  how  your  last  colonel  objected  to  going  into 
the  charge  at  Vicksburg  on  the  22nd  of  May,  giving  as 
an  excuse  that  he  had  to  go  to  the  rear,  where  it  was 
quiet,  to  calculate  an  eclipse  of  the  sun. 

"It  is  regimental  history  that  Moulton,  of  Company 
I,  carried  forty  pounds  of  geological  specimens  in  his 
knapsack  from  Arcadia,  by  the  way  of  Batesville,  to 
Helena,  where  they  were  siezed  by  Gen.  Curtis  to  build 
a  fort.  It  was  a  private  of  the  33rd  who  visited  Gen. 
Grant  and  insisted  that  he  should  reduce  Vicksburg 
upon  the  plan  of  Scipio,  the  son  of  Emilius  Paulus,  in 
the  siege  of  Carthage.  Gen.  Grant  thanked  him  and 
told  him  if  he  ever  should  want  to  learn  anything  he 
would  go  and  stay  all  night  with  the  33rd. 

"The  morals  of  the  regiment  were  quite  as  conspic 
uous  as  its  learning.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to  at 
tend  divine  services  every  first  day  of  the  week,  but 
for  some  reason  the  order  was  almost  always  misspelled. 
There  were  several  members  of  the  33rd  who  never 
played  chuck-a-luck.  Bloomington  ought  to  be  proud 
of  this  regiment. 

"But,  seriously,  I  am  prepared  to  maintain  that  the 
33rd  regiment  was  not  only  the  most  learned  but  the 
handsomest  and  bravest  that  ever  entered  the  service. 
I  go  further  and  say  they  carried  not  only  the  clearest 
heads  in  the  army,  but  the  biggest  hearts.  I  have 
never  yet  seen  a  member  of  this  regiment  who  did  not 
seem  to  have  an  old-fashioned  latchstring  to  his  heart 
and  purse,  and  it  was  always  out.  If  ever  I  am  re 
duced  to  the  sad  necessity  of  asking  a  favor  I  shall  go 
straight  to  a  33rder,  knowing  he  would  put  himself  on 
half  rations  for  a  year  before  he  would  refuse  my  request. 

"There  is  much  sentiment  connected  with  the  'old 
soldier',  but  what  a  dry  crust  life  would  be  without  any 
glamour,  any  make-believes.  We  will  neither  deceive 
nor  wrong  any  one  to  wrap  bunting  around  every  old 
soldier  until  he  stands  out  before  the  world  a  colossal 
hero. 

"Men  enlisted  from  various  motives,  but  as  the  years 
come  and  go  and  bring  returns  of  the  22nd  of  May,  it 
h'nds  in  each  of  your  hearts  a  deep  and  increasing  love 
for  the  flag  of  your  country,  and  the  day  you  fought 
most  desperately,  for  it  is  the  supreme  day  of  your  lives. 

"My  interest  and  enthusiasm  for  the  33rd  may  be  ac 
counted  for  when  I  tell  you  that  a  number  of  my 
schoolmates  belonged  to  Company  E;  and  Princeton 
people  to  this  day  share  your  loss  of  that  gallant  soldier 
and  courteous  gentleman,  Julian  E.  Bryant.  It  may 
not  be  out  of  place  for  me  to  say  that  I  not  only 
watched  your  career  in  the  old  war  days,  but  for  a 


short  distance  followed  your  footsteps.  I  went  to 
Vicksburg  in  the  service  of  the  government  in  the  fall 
of  18(53,  soon  after  you  left  for  the  Department  of  the 
Gulf.  It  was  my  fortune  to  walk  in  the  trenches  you 
made  during  those  burning  June  days,  soon  after  you 
left  them,  and  to  stand  within  the  fort  on  the  outer 
slope  of  which,  on  the  22nd  of  May,  you  planted  this 
flag,  which  you  still  so  fondly  cherish. 

"Mothers,  wives,  sisters,  daughters  of  the  33rd,  how 
proud  we  are  of  our  regiment.  I  hope  it  does  not  seem 
out  of  place  that  the  soldier's  wife  is  ever  ready  to  ac 
cept  an  invitation  to  a  soldier's  reunion.  Women  as 
well  as  men  heard  the  first  gun  which  fired  on  Fort 
Sumter.  Loyal  women,  as  well  as  loyal  men,  did  noble 
work  during  the  Civil  War. 

"I  never  admired  the  Spartan  mother.  The  Ameri 
can  mother  did  well  if  she  did  not  hold  back  her  boy. 
With  their  first-born  marching  to  the  front,  work  be 
came  the  mother's  only  solace,  and  she  took  upon  her 
self  added  tasks.  She  sent  the  extra  blanket  to  some 
one's  else  boy ;  denied  herself  comforts  that  the  parched 
lips  of  some  unknown  soldier  might  have  a  taste  of 
wine,  arid  in  the  evening  twilight  how  she  knitted  and 
cried !  The  name  of  this  mother  is  Legion.  Almost 
every  able-bodied  man  seized  his  gun ;  every  woman, 
able-bodied  or  not,  seized  her  needle,  and  the  soldiers' 
aid  societies,  from  Maine  to  California,  showed  what 
she  did  with  it.  What  garments  were  fashioned  and 
made;  what  stockings  and  mittens  were  knit;  what 
fruit  dried ;  what  stacks  of  quilts  and  blankets  were 
gathered  ;  what  farewell  feasts  were  spread  ;  what  good 
byes  were  said  in  those  sad  days  of  the  sixties!  No 
weeping  Niobe  was  the  American  mother,  but  rather, 
like  Briareus,  the  hundred-handed,  she  reached  out  in 
every  direction  to  help  the  soldier.  The  loyal  woman 
having  said  'good-bye'  to  her  husband,  brother  or 
lover,  proceeded  to  organize  relief  for  him. 

"The  work  done  for  the  army  by  the  Northern 
women  cannot  be  estimated.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of 
women,  during  the  four  years  of  the  war,  gave  all  their 
leisure,  all  the  money  they  could  save  or  beg,  to  the 
soldiers.  Discouragements,  overwhelming  responsibili 
ties  never  caused  them  to  flag.  To  the  last  they  in 
creased  in  devotion  and  zeal.  Summer's  heat  nor 
winter's  cold  did  not  keep  them  from  their  posts. 

"The  great  fairs  for  the  soldiers  in  many  of  our  lar 
gest  cities  were  marvelous.  The  administrative  ability 
which  carried  them  on  was  only  equalled  by  their  fab 
ulous  success. 

"Not  content  with  work  at  home,  woman  made  her 
way  through  all  hindrances  to  the  bedside  of  the  sick 
and  wounded  soldiers.  She  gave  up  home  with  the 
order  and  daintiness  which  a  woman  loves;  she  risked 
her  life  in  fever  hospitals;  she  lived  in  tents  and  slept 
in  ambulances. 

"It  was  the  prompting  of  a  woman's  heart  which 
lead  to  the  stupendous  work  of  the  Christian  and  san 
itary  commissions.  Through  these  committees  over 
$100,000,000  were  spent  for  our  sick  and  wounded. 


66 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


"  'Twas  a  woman's  pen  wrote  'Uncle  Tom's  Cabin', 
a  story  which  helped  this  nation  set  free  over  four 
millions  of  human  beings.  'Twas  a  woman's  voice 
which  first  sang : 

'In  the  beauty  of  the  lilies 
Christ  was  born  across  the  sea ; 
As  he  died  to  make  men  holy, 
Let  us  die  to  make  men  free. ' 

"  'Twas  a  woman's  hand,  and  a  Southern  woman's, 
which  plucked  the  first  flower  for  the  first  Decoration 
Day. 

"For  these  services  I  claim  for  woman  no  wreath  of 
laurel ;  only  let  it  be  remembered  that  during  those 
scorching,  livid  days  of  the  Civil  War  it  may  truly  be 
said  of  woman:  'She  hath  done  what  she  could.'  " 

In  writing  this  narrative  it  has  been  my  object  main 
ly  to  give  the  more  important  experiences  of  the  regi 
ment,  its  battles,  lines  of  travel,  dates  and  places  of 
encampment,  so  that  it  can  be  readily  seen  where  and 
what  it  was  engaged  in  on  any  day  of  its  four  years 
and  three  months  of  service.  This  I  could  not  have 
done  without  the  aid  of  the  diaries  of  Capt.  Lewis, 
Lucius  Rogers  of  Company  B,  Luther  H.  Prosser,  .1. 
Wiley  Moore  of  Company  C,  James  Bateman  of  Com 
pany  D,  and  Marshall's  "Army  Life".  Those  little 
volumes  are  pathetic,  and  eloquent  of  the  old  days. 
They  are  worn  and  dim,  and  for  the  most  part  written 
in  pencil,  much  of  which  had  to  be  deciphered  by  the 
aid  of  a  magnifying  glass.  It  is  no  injustice  to  others 
to  say  that  the  diaries  of  Capt.  Lewis  were  the  most 
valuable,  as  he  kept  track  of  every  hour  of  the  regi 
ment's  service. 

The  surviving  members  of  the  33rd  will  be  under  the 
greatest  obligations  to  Virgil  G.  Way  of  Company  B 
for  his  tireless  and  persistent  energy  in  collecting  ma 


terial  for  this  work,  and  for  his  extensive  and  labor 
ious  correspondence  in  determining  the  place  and  date 
of  death  of  those  who  have  died  since  the  war,  and  lo 
cating  those  still  living.  But  for  the  deep  interest 
taken  in  the  regiment  by  Comrade  Way,  it  is  not  likely 
that  a  history  of  any  kind  of  the  33rd  would  have  been 
written. 

In  closing  this  narrative  it  is  but  justice  to  myself  to 
say  that  it  has  been  written  on  the  plains  of  New  Mex 
ico,  without  access  to  any  records  except  the  meager 
material  sent  me,  and  without  consultation  or  advice, 
which  I  so  much  needed,  with  any  members  of  the 
regiment,  except  by  a  desultory  and  unsatisfactory 
correspondence,  and  any  injustice  or  neglect  that  may 
appear  in  these  pages,  I  trust  the  generosity  of  my  old 
comrades  will  overlook. 

The  surviving  members  of  our  old  regiment  are  scat 
tered  over  this  broad  land,  but  the  ties  that  were  formed 
in  a  great  emergency  still  hold  them  strongly  together, 
and  the  tender  memories  of  our  comrades  who  have 
gone  will  remain  in  our  faithful  keeping. 

Dear  Comrades,  the  measureless  sncriflces  you  made 
to  preserve  the  unity  and  enhance  the  glory  of  this  Na 
tion  have  had  their  reward  and  fruition  in  the  mighty 
progress  your  country  has  made  since  you  marched 
under  the  flag  of  the  33rd.  Our  government  has  blazed 
the  way  for  better  conditions  for  the  whole  brotherhood 
of  mankind.  It  is  in  the  same  grand  old  fight  that 
has  been  going  on  from  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
and  must  go  on  forever.  Your  part  in  saving  the  Na 
tion's  life  and  honor  is  done,  and  well  done,  and  you 
have  lived  to  see  your  country  exalted,  purified  and 
grown  mighty  in  unity  and  liberty. 

I  must  now  give  to  myself  the  command  I  have  often 
given  to  you— Halt ! 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN   VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


67 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

Organized  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  in  August,  J86J;  re-enlisted  at  Indianola,  Texas,  December  31st,  J864;  mustered  out  of  the 
United  States  Service  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  November  24th,  J865,  by  reason  of  Special  Order  No.  JOO,  Headquarters  Depart 
ment  of  Mississippi,  and  received  its  final  discharge  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  December  7th,  J865.  Over  two  thousand 
names  •were  borne  on  its  muster  rolls  from  first  to  last. 


ROSTER  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF  OFFICERS. 


NAME 

AND 

RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM 

0! 

SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

COLONEL. 

Hovey,  Charles  E !  Blooming-ton.. 

Lippincott,  Charles  E i  Chandlerville. 

Elliott,  Isaac  II Princeton 

LIF.UT.  COLONEL 

Lock  wood,  William   R I  Qiiincy 


15  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62. . . 
5  Sept.,  '62,  to  10  Sept.,  '65.. . 
21  Sept.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  . . . 


Lippincott,  Charles  E 


Chandlerville  .. 


4  Oct., '61,  to  1  Mch., '62... 
1  Mch.,  '62,  to  5  Sept.,  '62... 


Roe,  Edward  R 

Bloomington.  .  . 

5  Sept., 

62,  to  29  May,  '63  .... 

Potter,  Leander  H  
Elliott,  Isaac  11  

Bloomington.  .. 
Princeton  

29  May, 
12  Sept.. 

'63,  to  12  Sept.,  '64.  .. 
'64,  to  21  Sept.,  '65  .. 

Pope,  Henry  H. 

Taylorville  

21  Sept., 

'6>,  to  7  Dec.,  '65.  .  .  . 

MAJOR. 
Roe,  Edward  R. 

Bloomington.  .  . 

30  Aug., 

'61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62..   . 

Potter,  Leander  H  
Elliott   Isaac  H. 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Princeton 

5  Sept., 
29  May, 

62,  to  29  May.  '63  
'03,  to  12  Sept.,  '64 

Taylorville  

12  Sept., 

'64,  to  21  Sept.,  '65. 

Gray,  Elijah  H  

Winchester  

21  Sept., 

'65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65    ... 

ADJUTANT. 
Crandall,  Frederick  M  
Gove,  E.  Aaron          

Stark  County.  .  . 
New  Rutland  .  .. 

30  Aug., 
23  Nov., 

'61,  to  23  Nov.,  '62.... 
'62,  to  18  June.  '64. 

Ingraham,  Duncan  G  
QUARTERMASTER. 
Wright,  Simeon. 

DuPage  County 
Kinmundy.. 

18  June, 
30  Aug., 

'64.  to  7  Dec.,  '65  
'61,  to  22  Aug.,  '64. 

Fulks   Richard  B. 

Beardstown 

22  Aug., 

'64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65 

SURGEON. 

Rex,  George  P 

IST  ASST.  SURGEON. 


Perry. . 


Abbott,  Nathan  W Salem 

May,  Edwin Arcadia,  Mo. 


15  Aug.,  '61,  to  7  Dec.,  '65. . 


3  Feb.,  '62,  to  17  Nov.,  '62.. 
25  Aug.,  '62.  to  17  Sept.  '64. 


Wallace,  Hugh  L 

2ND  ASST.  SURGEON. 

Antis,  Henry  T 

Rex,  Oliver  P.. . 


CHAPLAIN. 


Griggsville. . 


Eddy,  Herman  A Bloomington . . . 

Coltrin,  Nathaniel  P..    . 


2<>  June,  '65  to  14  Oct.,  '65 


21  Nov.,  '62,  to  14  June,  '65. 
10  Aug.,  '65  to  7  Dec.,  '65. . . 


15  Aug.,  '61.  to  31  July,  '63. . 
9  June,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 


Wounded  at  Cache  River,  Ark.,  7  July,  '62.  Promoted  Brigadier  Gen 
eral.  Brevet  Major  General  of  Vo'l.,  13  Mch.,  '65. 

Wounded  22  May,  '63.  Promoted  Brevet  Brigadier  General  17  Feb.,  '65. 
Promoted  Brigadier  General.  Veteran. 

Promoted  Brevet  Brigadier  General  7  Dec.,  '65.  Discharged  with  the 
regiment.  Veteran. 

Resigned  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Promoted  Colonel. 

Wounded  22  May,  '63.     Resigned  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Wounded  22  May,   '63.    Resigned  for  disability  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Veteran. 

Promoted  Brevet  Colonel  13  March,  '65.    Promoted  Colonel. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 


Promoted  from  l'C"  Company.    Promoted  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Promoted   from    "A"  Company.    Wounded  at  Cuckle    Burr  Landing, 

Miss.     Promoted  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Promoted   from   "E"  Co.    Served   with  Gen.  Washburn  as  Chief  of 

Staff.    Promoted  Lieut.  Colonel. 

Promoted  from  "D"  Company.    Promoted  Lieut.  Colonel.    Veteran. 
Promoted  from  "F"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 


Promoted  from  "B"  Co.    Resigned  for  promotion  as  Captain  in  the 

48th  U.  S.  C.  1. 
Promoted  from  "B"  Co.    Wounded  17  May,  '63.     Resigned  at  Brashear 

City,  La. 
Promoted  from   Sergeant  Major.     Served  as  Asst.  Adjutant  General 

Dept.  Miss.    Discharged  with  tne  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  from  "K"  Co.    Resigned  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Promoted  from  Q.  M.  Sergeant.  Discharged  with  the  regiment.  Veteran. 


Served  as  Medical  Director  Dept.  of  the  Gulf.   Re-enlisted  14  Aug.,  '64. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Resigned  for  promotion. 

By    special    order    No.  188  Hdqrs.  Dept.  Gulf  16  July,  '64.     Promoted 

Surgeon  of  the  99th  Illinois. 
Resigned  at  Yazoo  City,  Miss. 


Promoted  Surgeon  of  the  47th  111.  Infantry. 

Promoted  from   Hospital  Steward.    Discharged   with   the   regiment. 
Veteran. 


Resigned  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 


08 


PICTURES  OF  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 


CHAPLAIN    NATHANIEL  P.  COLTRIN. 


SERGEANT  MAJOR  JOHN  LEYS. 


QUARTERMASTER  SERGT.  ELMER  WASHBURN. 


QUARTERMASTER  SERGT.  ELIJAH  L.  DEXTER. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


69 


ROSTER  OF  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

SERGEANT   MAJOR. 

Wilson,  John  X  
Wilcox,  Charles  E. 

Bioomington... 
Lake  County.  .  . 

DuPage  County 
White  Oak 
Grove  .... 

31  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  Jan.,  '63.  .  .  . 
3  Sept.,  '63,  to  30  Sept.  '63.  .  .  . 

30  Sept.,  '63,  to  18  June,  '64.  .  . 
18  June,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

31  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Sept.,  '62.  .  . 

1  Oct.,  '62,  to  22  Aug.,  '64  
22  Aug.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

31  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  April,  '62  
19  April,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

26  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Dec.,  '61.  ... 
1  Oct.,  '61,  to  9  Oct.,  '62  

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  10  Jan.,  '63  
10  Jan.,  '63,  to  10  Aug.,  '65.  ... 
31  Aug.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

19  Oct.,  '61,  to  18  May,  '65  .  .  . 

1  Sept.,  '62,  to  20  Nov.,  '62.  .  .  . 
1  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

..  July,  '62,  to  20  Nov.,  '62.... 
to  4  Sept.,  '64  
1  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  from  "A"  Co.    Promoted  to  2nd  Lieut,  of  "F"  Co. 
Promoted  from  "A"  Co.    Discharged  for  promotion  as  Captain  92  U. 

Promoted  from  "B"  Co.  Promoted  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment.  Veteran. 
Promoted  from  "C"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted   from    "B"  Co.    Date  of  Commission,  18  Nov.,   1861;  dis 
charged  at  Helena,  Ark.    Disability. 
Promoted  from  "K"  Co.    Promoted  Quartermaster  of  the  regiment. 
Promoted  from  "E"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  from    "B"   Co.    Date    of    Commission,   18  Nov.,   '61;   Dis 
charged  at  Black  River,  Mo.,  for  disability. 
Promoted  from  "K"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 

Promoted  from  "E"  Co.    Discharged  at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  for  disability. 
Promoted  from  "G"  Co.    Detailed  Brigade  H.  S.,  3  Jan.,  '62.   Promoted 
H.  S.  Regular  Army. 
Promoted  from  "H"  Co.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  from  "A"  Co.    Promoted  Asst.  Surgeon  of  the  regiment. 
Promoted  from  "K"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  from  "C"  Co.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Promoted  from  "C"  Co.    Discharged  at  Paterson,  Mo.,  for  disability. 
Promoted  from  "B"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  from  Regt.  Band.    M.  O.  by  General  Order  discharging  en 
listed  musicians,  at  Paterson,  Mo. 
Promoted  from  "K"  Co.  as  Asst.  P.  Musician.     Returned  to  Company 
by  order  of  Col.  I.  H.  Elliott. 
Promoted  from  "F"  Co.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Ingraham,  Duncan  G 

Leys,  John 

Q.  M.  SERGEANT. 
Washburn,  Elmer.. 

Fulks,  Richard  B  

Beardstown 

Dexter,  Elijah  L 

Bureau  Co  

Alma  
Kinmundy  

Bureau  Co 

COM.  SERGEANT. 
Tilden,  Samuel  
Prosser,  Luther  H  
HOSPITAL  STEWARD. 
Saunders,  Reamer  A  

Little,  Jehu  

Marshall 

Gates,  Benjamin  
Rex,  Oliver  P  
Suflield,  Brice  

DRUM   MAJOR. 
Rails,  William  C  
FIFE  MAJOR. 

Kitchen,  Joseph  L  
Wakeman,  Bradford  J  

PRINCIPAL  MUSICIAN. 
Kitchen,  Charles  A  
Robinson,  Danl.  Z  
Dickinson,  Piercy  

Camp  Grove.  .  . 
Griggsville  
Chandlerville  .. 

Brooklyn  

Lexington  
DuPage  Co  

Lexington  
Virginia  
Lynnville  

70 


ES  <>/•'  A-O.Y-<"0,l/.]//.s;s70.y/-;/>  STAFF. 


COMMISSARY  SERGT.  LUTHER  II.  PROSSER. 


HOSPITAL  STEWARD:BRICE  SUFFIELD. 


PRINCIPAL   MUSICIAN  PIERCY  DICKHNSON. 


FIFE  MAJOR   BRADFORD  J.  WAKEMAN. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


71 


ROSTER  OF  BAND. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

LRADF.R. 
Elder,  Charles  S  
1ST  CLASS. 
Greene.  Charles 

Lexington  
McLean  Co 

19,  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.. 

Enlisted  for  the  Band.    Mustered  out  by  genl.  order  as  to  musicians. 
Transferred  from  "B"  Co.    M.  O.  bv  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

Powley,  J.  VV  
Scott,  Ed  ward  E  

2ND  CLASS. 

Dunkle,  George  M  
Cutler,  William  
Elder,  George  G  

Lexington  
Lyndon  

Lexington  
Lexington  
Bloomington. 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .  . 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .  . 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .. 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .  . 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .. 

Enlisted  for  the  Band.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 
Enlisted  for  the  Band.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

Enlisted  for  the  Band.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 
Enlisted  for  the  Band.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 
Enlisted  for  the  Band.     M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

Milliken,  F.  W  
3RD  CLASS. 

Bull,  Elisha  
Kitchen.  Charles  A  
Loman,  George  A 

Lyndon  

Lyndon  
Lexington  
Toulon 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62..  .  . 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  ..  July,  '62... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62. 

Transferred  from  —  Co.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 
Promoted  Principal  Musician  of  the  Regiment. 
Transferred  from  "B"  Co.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

Lyon,  Edgar. 

McLean  Co  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62  

Transferred  from  "K"  Co.  1  Oct.,  '61.     M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to 

Minter,  C.  A. 

Chillicothe.  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62  

musicians. 
M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

McWilliams,  James 

McLean  Co 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.. 

M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

Sanders,  J.  B  
Scott,  Samuel  G  
Woodward,  August  G  

Centralia  
Lyndon  
Lexington  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62.  .  . 

M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 
M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 
Enlisted  for  the  Band.    M.  O.  by  general  order  as  to  musicians. 

PICTURES  OF  OFFICERS  OF  "A"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  GOULD  H.  NORTON. 


CAPTAIN   J.   HOWARD  BURNHAM. 
Secretary  of  Regimental  Association  for 

many  years. 


CAPTAIN  HARVEY  J.  DUTTON. 


PICTURES  OF  OFFICERS  OF  "A"  COMPANY. 


73 


'FIRST  LIEUTENANT  JAMES  R.  FYFFE. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  CHARLES  TOBEY. 


ORDERLY  SERGEANT  EDWARD  M.  PIKE. 
Awarded   Medal   of  Honor  for  gallantry    at 
Cache  River,  Ark.,  7  July,  1862.    Past  Pres. 
of  Regimental  Association. 


10 


74 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


"A"  COMPANY. 

A  BRIEF  SKETCH  BY  J.  H.  BURNHAM. 


It  is  the  llttb  day  of  July,  1001,  and,  as  I  am  seated 
on  the  piazza  of  my  comfortable  home  at  o07  E.  Mul 
berry  Street,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  my  thoughts  recur 
to  this  day  forty  years  ago,  when  the  rapidly  moving 
events  of  the  historic  drama  of  18(51  were  fast  bringing 
into  existence  the  military  organization  known  as  the 
Normal,  or  33rd  Illinois  Infantry  Regiment. 

Where  are  those  noble  spirits  who  were  then  my  asso 
ciates  and  who  were  patriotically  doing  their  best  to 
join  the  army  and  serve  their  country,  not  even  know 
ing  whether  they  had  a  country  which  was  worth  sav 
ing?  Echo  answers  where  to  the  roll  call  of  some  of 
these  persons,  but  happily  and  fortunately  this  little 
volume  to  a  remarkable  degree  answers  the  call  and 
tells  what  has  become  of  nearly  every  comrade  and  also 
assures  us  that  a  very  respectable  proportion,  even  after 
forty  long  years  have  passed,  are  alive  and  well  and 
able  to  read  and  treasure  these  pages  of  records  of  their 
army  careers. 

It  is  quite  possible  that  nowhere  in  the  United  States 
is  there  to  be  found  another  Civil  War  regimental  or 
ganization  with  such  a  well  preserved  record  of  each 
individual's  whereabouts,  or  with  such  a  strong  and 
abiding  feeling  of  comradeship,  with  such  ability  to 
compile  and  publish  not  only  its  army  record,  but  its 
personal  and  later  individual  history,  as  can  be  illus 
trated  by  this  publication,  which  will,  no  doubt,  go 
far  toward  giving  the  33rd  Illinois  a  permanent  and 
enduring  record  in  the  annals  of  the  great  Civil  War. 

It  may  not  be  known  to  all  the  surviving  members  of 
the  33rd  that  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  in  April,  18(51, 
at  the  first  call  for  troops,  several  of  the  students  of  the 
State  Normal  University,  at  Normal,  111.,  volunteered 
in  Co.  K  of  the  8th  Illinois  three  months'  Infantry. 
The  village  of  Normal,  not  then  organized,  contained 
but  about  thirty  houses,  and  the  Normal  Institution 
was  generally  known  as  being  located  at  Bloomington, 
and  these  students  enlisted  in  the  Bloomington  or 
McLean  county  company  of  that  regiment.  The  patri 
otic  ardor  of  the  times  was  about  to  carry  off  nearly  all 
the  able-bodied  young  men  of  the  Normal,  who  were 
fast  making  their  plans  to  enlist  in  the  different  organ 
izations  in  which  their  acquaintances  were  enlisting, 
and  but  for  the  foresight  of  the  President  of  the  Nor 


mal,  Mr.  Charles  E.  Hovey,  the  Normal  students  would 
never  have  made  a  war  record  for  the  institution,  al 
though  these  students  would  have  volunteered  elsewhere 
and  made  individual  records  of  glory. 

President  Hovey,  with  some  of  the  other  members  of 
the  faculty,  decided  to  organize  the  students  into  a 
military  company,  which  plan  was  soon  put  into  exe 
cution  by  the  selection  of  Capt.  John  W.  White  as  a 
paid  drill  master.  Of  his  subsequent  history  it  may  be 
stated  that  he  became  a  Captain  in  Co.  H  of  tire  8th 
Mo.  Infantry.  Captain  White's  company  of  Normal 
boys  entered  with  hearty  zeal  into  the  novel  duties  of 
the  times.  Ey  drilling  every  day  after  school  hours 
and  about  all  day  on  Saturdays,  the  company  soon  ac 
quired  a  very  estimable  degree  of  discipline.  With 
their  new  uniform  hickory  sticks  for  use  as  guns,  they 
began  to  take  on  airs  at  Bloomington  parades;  to  be 
called  the  "Normal  Rifles"  ;  and  to  look  most  anxiously 
for  Uncle  Sam  to  issue  a  call  for  troops. 

Illinois  had  filled  all  requisitions,  and  the  enthusi 
asm  or  patriotism  of  McLean  county  was  on  such  a 
grand  scale  that  no  less  than  128  of  its  sons  being  un 
able  to  join  Illinois  regiments  at  that  time,  volunteered 
and  joined  the  8th  Missouri  Volunteers  about' this  time, 
while  many  others,  organized  and  unorganized,  were 
impatiently  awaiting  future  calls  and  chafing  at  the 
apparent  inactivity  of  the  government.  Little  did  we 
then  realize  the  impossibility  of  at  once  organizing  and 
arming  the  enormous  bodies  needed  to  put  down  the 
gigantic  rebellion.  The  Normal  boys  learned,  even 
three  months  later,  that  guns  which  would  shoot 
straight  could  not  be  found  to  arm  one-half  of  the  men 
willing  to  point  them  at  the  enemy. 

I  was  Principal  of  the  Model  School  from  the  time 
Joseph  G.  Howell  resigned  and  volunteered  in  April, 
having  been  his  choice  for  the  position  to  which  I  was 
at  once  chosen  by  the  Normal  faculty.  I  carried  the 
school  through  the  eleven  weeks  of  the  summer  term, 
and  this  teaching  was  considered  as  tin  equivalent  for 
the  studies  of  the  last  term,  so  that  I  was  graduated 
with  the  rest  of  section  "A"  on  the  second  day  of 
July,  18(51,  at  which  time  our  military  company,  then 
about  fifty-five  strong,  made  its  last  parade  and  dis 
solved  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  we  would 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


75 


keep  up  a  correspondence,  and  in  case  of  a  fresh  call 
for  troops,  we  would  enlist  as  a  company  in  some  one 
of  the  best  regiments  of  the  state. 

The  organization  of  this  company  of  students  attract 
ed  great  attention  throughout  the  state  and  made  it 
comparatively  easy  to  influence  the  later  organization 
of  a  full  regiment  into  which  might  be  drawn  many  of 
the  students,  teachers,  and  other  educational  men  of 
the  State  of  Illinois. 

Just  about  this  period,  or  perhaps  a  little  after  the 
4th  of  July,  President  Hovey  conceived  the  idea  of  or 
ganizing  a  full  regiment  of  volunteers  from  the  stu 
dents  and  teachers  of  the  state,  and  the  plan  at  once 
became  immensely  popular.  Volunteers  began  to  offer 
from  all  quarters,  and  he  therefore  offered  to  Gov. 
Yates  a  regiment  of  teachers,  students,  and  educational 
men  as  soon  as  proper  steps  could  be  taken.  Gov. 
Yates,  however,  could  not  then  accept  any  more  troops, 
and  Mr.  Hovey,  with  the  energy  for  which  he  was 
noted,  went  to  Washington  to  make  his  offer  direct  to 
the  Secretary  of  War. 

It  was  just  forty  years  ago  to-day,  July  10th,  that  he 
was  in  Washington  on  this  duty,  and  this  explains  why 
I  have  referred  to  that  period  in  the  beginning  of  this 
article.  I  had  been  making  my  home  in  his  family  for 
a  year,  and  I  was  at  this  time  daily  hoping  to  hear  of 
the  acceptance  of  his  offer  to  the  government,  when  I 
was  expecting  to  help  send  word  out  to  different  indi 
viduals,  some  of  the  Normal  students  who  were  intend 
ing  to  organize  companies  for  this  regiment.  Mr. 
Hovey  found  the  authorities  at  Washington  so  well  sat 
isfied  with  the  progress  of  the  war,  and  so  convinced 
that  the  famous  "On  to  Richmond"  campaign  was 
about  to  be  successful,  that  he  was  refused  an  audience, 
and  he  would  have  given  up  the  idea  of  raising  a  regi 
ment  had  he  not  been  firmly  of  the  opinion  that  the 
government  was  in  far  greater  danger  than  was  gener 
ally  imagined. 

The  day  before  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  he  started  for 
the  battlefield  with  no  idea  of  the  great  disaster  im 
pending,  but  with  a  presentiment  that  our  troops  would 
meet  with  a  warm  reception.  He  found  himself  almost 
in  the  fore-front  of  the  battle,  so  near  that  he  picked 
up  an  abandoned  musket  and  acted  as  a  soldier  on  that 
famous  retreat.  This  was  the  21st  day  of  July,  and  on 
the  day  after  that  great  disaster  Mr.  Hovey  had  no 
difficulty  in  obtaining  an  audience  with  the  Secretary 
of  War,  who  promptly  gave  him  authority  to  raise  a 
full  regiment  of  Illinois  troops  for  the  defense  of  the 
government. 

On  his  return  to  his  home  in  Normal,  near  Bloom  - 
ington,  now  known  as  Colonel  Hovey,  he  at  once  put 
in  motion  all  the  machinery  of  the  Normal  and  pro 
ceeded  to  raise  the  "Normal  Regiment,  "as  it  was  called 
for  nearly  six  weeks  before  it  obtained  its  legal  and 
final  numbering  in  the  service. 

The  "Normal  Rifles"  became  Company  A  of  the  new 
regiment.  Its  members  began  to  rendezvous  at  Bloom- 
ington  early  in  August.  On  the  21st  of  August  the 


company,  perhaps  sixty  or  seventy  strong,  was  sworn 
into  the  United  States  Service  at  Royce  Hall  in  Bloom- 
ington.  Its  first  Captain  was  Leander  H.  Potter,  one 
of  the  Normal  faculty.  In  the  sketch  of  the  Field  and 
Staff  of  the  33rd  Regiment  in  this  volume  is  an  able 
tribute  to  L.  H.  Potter,  and  dear  as  his  memory  is  to 
me  and  as  I  know  it  must  be  to  those  who  served  in 
the  company  of  which  he  was  Captain,  I  must  not  take 
space  to  do  more  than  mention  this  hero,  as  I  always 
felt  him  to  be.  His  mature  and  thoughtful  judgment, 
his  careful  and  business-like  methods,  his  broad  views 
of  duty  and  patriotism,  his  daily  example  of  noble  and 
unselfish  living,  combined  to  influence  my  own  char 
acter  to  a  degree  which  I  have  never  been  fully  con 
scious  of,  and  for  which  I  shall  never  be  sufficiently 
thankful. 

My  own  election  to  the  office  of  First  Lieutenant  by 
the  votes  of  all  except  two,  one  of  which  was  my  own, 
was  the  very  proudest  moment  of  my  life.  It  was  its 
most  important  event  up  to  that  date,  and  nothing  of  a 
business  character  since  then  has  ever  been  so  gratefully 
accepted. 

G.  H.  Norton  of  the  graduating  class  of  1862  was 
made  Second  Lieutenant.  Perhaps  I  ought  to  have 
stated  that  several  members  of  the  Normal  Rifles  en 
listed  in  other  companies  of  the  regiment.  Lieut. 
Gove  of  B  for  instance,  Lieut.  Bryant  of  E,  and  several 
others,  did  not  join  the  army  in  Co.  A ;  while  Dr. 
Jehu  Little,  afterwards  Surgeon  of  the  24th  Missouri 
Infantry,  who  was  the  Orderly  Sergeant  of  the  Normal 
Rifles,  became  a  member  of  G  Company  and  acted  as 
our  Hospital  Steward.  I  have  seen  it  stated,  that  out 
of  the  55  members  of  the  Normal  Rifles  no  less  than  20 
became  commissioned  officers  before  the  Civil  War  was 
over,  and  I  believe  12  were  commissioned  first  and  last 
in  the  33rd. 

Four  companies,  A,  C,  E  and  G,  organized  in  part  at 
Bloomington  in  August,  went  to  Camp  Butler  on  or 
before  September  1st,  and  this  nucleus  of  the  regiment 
was  then  in  camp  and  it  was  organized  fully  into  the 
33rd  Regiment  a  few  days  later. 

Company  A  contained  men  from  over  thirty  different 
counties  in  the  state,  but  only  about  forty  were  members 
of  the  original  Normal  Rifles.  The  boys  brought  friends 
and  neighbors  with  them  to  camp,  while  quite  a  number 
of  our  best  men  were  students  and  school  teachers  who 
were  attracted  by  the  well-known  principle  of  natural 
selection.  Its  ranks,  however,  were  partly  filled  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  other  companies  were,  by  patriot 
ic  volunteers  who  knew  little  or  cared  little  for  the 
scholastic  origin  of  the  company.  So  that  while  its 
reputation  as  a  company  of  students  and  teachers  was, 
on  the  whole,  very  well  deserved,  yet  the  proportion  of 
hardy  yeomen  was  large  enough  to  prevent  it  from  de 
serving  to  be  called  strictly  a  company  of  educators. 
There  was,  however,  no  other  company  in  the  regiment 
of  which  it  could  be  said  that  its  organic  base  was 
composed  of  students ;  and  as  the  Normal  Rifles  was 
the  nucleus  of  the  Normal  Regiment,  it  is  perhaps  best 


76 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


that  this  history  should  set  forth  these  facts  as  fully  as 
may  Ive  needed  to  show  how  the  name  of  the  regiment 
originated. 

Incidents  and  events  crowd  themselves  into  my  mind 
as  I  think  of  the  past,  and  I  could  fill  page  after  page  of 
fragmentary,  desultory  history,  much  of  it  of  the  fa 
miliar  old  soldier  "campflre"  character,  which  space 
will  not  permit  me  to  relate. 

I  ought  to  be  allowed  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  one 
hero  by  relating  an  incident  of  our  muster-in  at  Camp 
Butler,  Sept.  4thT  1861.  Capt.  Potter  was  absent  from 
camp  on  some  duty  and  I  took  his  place  when  Capt. 
Pitcher  of  the  United  States  Army  solemnly  mustered 
us  into  the  service  of  the  government  as  a  company. 
Peterson  of  Maroa,  who  had  been  teaching  school  in  Mc 
Lean  county  near  LeRoy,  had  but  one  eye.  In  place  of 
the  missing  member  was  a  bad-looking  scar,  giving  him 
a  peculiarly  non-soldierly  appearance.  No  one  supposed 
that  Capt.  Pitcher  would  accept  such  a  physically  unfit 
soldier,  and,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  was  in  hopes  that  Pet 
erson  would  be  rejected,  although  I  knew  him  to  be  a 
fine  fellow  and  exceedingly  anxious  to  shoot  at  rebels, 
with  his  one  eye.  He  shrewdly  managed,  as  Capt. 
Pitcher  passed  in  front  of  the  line,  to  keep  his  well  eye 
turned  in  the  direction  of  the  officer,  with  the  place 
where  the  other  one  should  have  been  turned  around 
fairly  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  he  had  the  su 
preme  happiness  to  be  accepted  as  a  perfect  soldier. 
Cases  like  this  were  rare  and  this  deserves  to  be  men 
tioned,  but  I  regret  to  add  that  poor  Peterson  was  car 
ried  oft'  by  disease  before  this  hero  had  been  in  the  ser 
vice  six  months.  I  really  believe,  from  my  experience 
later  in  the  service,  that  had  we  been  inspected  only 
one-half  as  carefully  as  were  the  volunteers  for  the 
Spanish- American  War,  that  fully  one-half  of  our  num 
ber  would  have  been  rejected,  and  in  all  probability  the 
one-half  taken  would  have  been  physically  of  as  much 
value  as  all  of  those  who  were  accepted. 

Camp  duties  and  drill  took  up  our  time  in  Camp 
Butler,  and  on  the  28th  of  September  we  were  ordered 
to  leave  camp  for  Washington.  .Just  at  that  time  the 
Potomac  Army  was  inactive,  and  there  was  such  a 
prevalent  dread  of  inactivity  and  such  a  fear  the  war 
would  be  over  before  we  arrived  that  there  was  one 
universal  demand  for  attempting  to  change  our  destina 
tion  ;  and  the  regiment  actually  slept  all  night  on  the 
ground  while  the  telegraph  wires  were  working  to  di 
vert  us  to  Missouri,  where  the  popular  idol,  Gen.  Fre 
mont,  was  supposed  to  be  just  about  to  finish  the  war 
in  the  West  by  some  kind  of  military  fireworks  of 
most  marvelous  glory.  The  effort  was  successful  and 
the  course  of  our  history  turned  from  the  rising  to  the 
setting  sun.  Subsequent  events  proved  there  was 
bloody  work  in  store  in  the  East  as  well  as  in  the  West, 
and  it  is  probable  that  our  regiment's  future  was  des 
tined  to  become  important,  no  matter  in  which  direc 
tion  its  career  might  be  directed. 

Pilot  Knob,  in  missouri,  was  to  be  the  destination, 
and  at  Arcadia,  near  there,  we  were  soon  in  camp  and 


learning  the  duties  of  a  soldier's  life.  Well  do  I  re 
member  the  first  few  pleasant,  delightful,  autumn  days 
among  the  charming  scenery  of  the  Iron  Mountain  dis 
trict  of  Missouri.  How  ardently  did  we  desire  to  be 
led  against  some  enemy  !  How  proud  was  Co.  A  to  be 
'  sent  out  from  camp  to  dislodge  supposed  guerrillas  a 
tew  miles  distant,  near  a  stone  quarry  plainly  visible 
from  camp !  How  we  were  envied  by  the  members  of 
the  other  companies  who  saw  us  depart  on  our  way  to 
military  glory,  while  this  was  grimly  denied  to  those 
left  in  camp!  Words  cannot  describe  the  general  cha 
grin  of  our  company  when  we  discovered,  just  before 
dark,  that  the  guerrilla  camp  was,  after  all,  nothing  but 
the  evening  sun  shining  on  one  side  of  the  aforesaid 
stone  quarry.  Our  retreat  without  glory  was  mercifully 
covered  by  darkness  and  a  heavy  thunder  shower, 
which  prevented  the  camp  from  witnessing  our  mor 
tification  at  coming  in  without  capturing  any  prison 
ers.  I  happened  to  be  in  command,  and  to  this  day 
have  never  before  dared  to  explain  that  I  was  perfectly 
well  satisfied  to  find  we  were  not  called  upon  to  attack 
an  unknown  number  of  entrenched  rebels  with  no 
arms  except  untried  Austrian  muskets. 

In  a  very  few  days  after  this  the  thickening  war  ru 
mors  grew  into  something  more  definite,  and  we  had 
our  first  taste  of  a  fight  by  being  at  Fredericktown,  Mo., 
Oct.  21st,  18(51,  and  I  will  here  introduce  an  account  of 
the  battle,  taken  from  "Army  Life",  published  in  Jol- 
iet,  111.,  in  1883  by  Judge  A.  O.  Marshall,  who  was  a 
member  of  Co.  A  for  three  years.  Hon.  A.  O.  Mar 
shall,  now  Judge  Marshall  of  the  Will  County  Probate 
Court,  was  for  four  years  a  member  of  the  Illinois 
State  Senate.  He  is  one  of  the  student  class  who  joined 
the  regiment  on  account  of  its  literary  origin,  although 
he  was  not  a  Normal  student.  "Army  Life"  is  main 
ly  made  up  from  his  diary,  written  while  a  member  of 
the  company,  and  is  peculiarly  valuable  as  showing 
the  point  of  view  taken  on  the  spot  by  one  of  the  act 
ors — an  enlisted  man. 

"On  the  21st  of  October  the  troops  came  up  and  a 
sharp  brisk  battle  was  fought,  in  which  Jeff'  Thomp 
son  was  quickly  and  severely  defeated.  Most  of  the 
fighting  on  the  Union  side  was  done  by  the  soldiers 
under  Colonel  Hummer.  As  he  outranked  Colonel  Car- 
lin,  he  was  the  ranking  officer  of  the  united  command. 
Plummer's  own  soldiers  did  most  of  the  fighting. 
Most  of  the  Pilot  Knob  forces,  however,  participated  in 
the  battle,  some  of  them  in  the  thickest  of  it.  Com 
pany  A  was  on  the  skirmish  line.  The  balance  of  the 
33rd  was  held  in  reserve  at  first,  but  they  were  so  anx 
ious  to  go  in  that  they  were  permitted  to  do  so.  The 
fight  was,  however,  so  soon  over  that  they  only  came 
up  in  time  to  fire  one  volley  at  the  retreating  rebels. 
It  was  a  short,  sharp  and  decisive  contest. 

"Instead  of  falling  to  the  south  of  the  enemy,  as  they 
could  easily  and  safely  haVe  done,  the  troops  from 
Pilot  Knob  had  kept  to  the  north,  so  as  to  form  a 
junction  with  the  troops  under  Colonel  Plummer. 
This  left  an  open  road  for  Thompson  to  the  south,  and 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


77 


with  his  defeated  army  lie  retreated  in  hot  haste 
toward  the  Arkansas  state  line. 

"Although  the  enemy's  entire  force  was  not  captured 
as  it  ought  to  have  been,  still  the  battle  of  Frederick- 
town  was  in  many  respects  a  very  important  one.  It 
gave  us  undisputed  possession  of  all  of  Southeastern 
Missouri  and  was  the  first  battle  of  the  war  that  could 
be  claimed  as  a  decided  Union  victory. 

"The  loss  upon  the  Union  side  was  small;  that  of 
the  rebels  comparatively  large.  It  is  claimed  that  our 
soldiers  buried  over  i^OO  of  the  rebel  dead ,  left  by 
them  upon  the  field.  The  enemy's  severest  loss  was 
that  of  Colonel  Lowe,  who  was  second  to  General 
Thompson  in  command  of  the  rebel  forces.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  promising  young  officers  in  the  rebel 
army.  He  was  killed  in  the  early  part  of  the  battle. 
His  death  had  a  very  depressing  effect  upon  the  rebels 
of  Southern  Missouri  and  Northern  Arkansas,  where 
before  the  war  he  was  was  well  known  as  a  brilliant, 
promising  and  popular  young  lawyer." 

As  the  weather  was  soon  quite  severe  we  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Arcadia.  Companies  A,  C  and  D 
occupied  the  Arcadia  Seminary  for  young  ladies  and 
passed  the  winter  quite  agreeably,  considering  the  in 
activity  of  the  service.  During  these  days  the  Colonel 
organized  the  commissioned  officers  into  a  class,  which 
held  regular  meetings  for  recitation,  study  and  dis 
cussion  on  their  military  duties.  Captain  Potter  took 
the  sergeants  through  a  course  of  instruction,  and  the 
First  Lieutenant  did  the  same  with  the  Corporals; 
while  the  private  soldiers  were  drilled  regularly  and 
thoroughly  in  the  manual  of  arms  and  other  exercises  of 
the  school  of  the  soldier,  and  other  drills.  Thus  passed 
the  winter  in  useful  study,  and  the  "Normal  Rifles", 
with  the  "Normal  Regiment",  began  to  feel  quite  well 
started  on  a  regular  military  career.  The  winter's  study 
and  drill  had  a  value  which  was  incalculable. 

In  some  respects  this  period  of  our  military  life  was 
truly  one  of  Arcadian  happiness.  We  were  on  the 
threshold  of  our  military  life;  had  seen  one  battle; 
were  becoming  well  drilled  and  had  prospects  of  accom 
plishing  that  for  which  we  had  enlisted.  We  felt  equal 
to  doing  our  share  towards  putting  down  the  Rebellion. 
Our  company  numbered,  all  told,  at  this  period  ninety- 
five,  rank  and  file.  We  were  truly  and  really  boys. 
Counting  Captain  Potter,  there  were  but  five  mar 
ried  men  in  the  company.  When  it  was  mustered 
out  after  so  many  had  gone  home  on  furlough,  I  be 
lieve  there  were  twenty-five  married  men.  Far  more 
than  this  number  were  intending  to  be  married  some 
time;  and  as  I  generally  distributed  the  mail,  I  had 
some  opportunity  to  guess  that  the  letters  received  were 
not  all  from  mothers,  sisters,  aunts  and  cousins,  and  I 
could  also  guess  that  the  girls  left  behind  were  not  all 
of  them  forgotten. 

Marshall  tells  a  story  which  shows  that  in  this  com 
pany,  at  least,  there  was  so  little  of  the  regular  army 
methods  that  both  officers  and  men  felt  on  an  equality 
and  were  not  afraid  to  give  and  take  a  joke.  As  to 


this  particular  joke,  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of 
taking  it  good-naturedly,  but  with  a  feeling  that  it 
was  almost  too  large  to  be  taken  all  at  once.  Here  is 
the  story : 

"One  evening  after  our  work  for  the  day  was  done, 
our  jovial  little  comrade,  Elisha  Burrows,  was  seen 
walking  down  toward  the  officers'  quarters.  His  face, 
always  the  picture  of  mirth  and  fun,  was  now  cov 
ered  with  sadness.  He  had  just  come  from  his  tent. 
Corporal  Lewis  was  one  of  his  tentmates.  Lewis,  one 
of  our  best  soldiers,  was  a  general  favorite,  and  es 
pecially  so  with  Lieutenant  Burnham,  one  of  the 
warmest  hearted  and  most  sympathetic  men  in  the 
army.  As  Burrows  came  near  Lieutenant  Burnham 
his  face  grew  more  sad,  and  in  mournful  tones  he 
asked:  'Lieutenant,  did  you  hear  about  Corporal 
Lewis?'  In  his  quick,  impulsive  way  the  Lieutenant 
answered:  'No,  what  is  the  matter  with  him?'  With 
a  voice  trembling  with  emotion,  Burrows  slowly  re 
plied :  'He  is  now  in  his  tent,  dt/ciiif/.1  With  tears 
of  heartfelt  sorrow  and  sympathy  coursing  down  his 
cheeks,  Burnham  rushed  to  the  soldier's  tent,  ex 
claiming:  'Poor  Lewis!'  'Poor  Lewis!'  and  found 
him — sitting  before  a  glass  dyeing  his  new-grown 
mustache. " 

How  little  we  all  knew  what  the  next  forty  years 
would  have  in  store.  Even  then  disease  and  death 
had  wrought  sad  havoc,  Arcadia  having  been  either  a 
sickly  place  or  else  the  early  months  of  army  life  had 
from  necessity  to  take  off  many  of  the  most  brilliant 
and  promising  of  our  little  company.  More  than  a 
dozen  deaths  occurred  in  the  company  before  we  had 
lost  a  single  comrade  in  battle.  Our  Arcadian  exper 
ience  was  actually  the -saddest  in  this  respect  of  any 
equal  length  of  time  during  the  whole  war.  But  who 
could  guess  which  of  our  number  would  die  of  disease 
or  who  would  be  compelled  to  be  discharged  for  dis 
ability  ;  who  was  to  fall  in  action  or  be  more  slowly 
taken  off'  from  wounds?  Who  were  those  who  were 
to  cover  themselves  and  their  company  with  glory? 
Who  were  those  who  would  carry  through  more  than 
forty  years  of  suffering  those  rebel  gunshot  wounds, 
which  would  testify  to  duty  bravely  performed?  Who 
were  to  be  the  few  who  would  disgrace  the  company  by 
dishonorable  desertion?  Who  were  to  be  the  victims  of 
the  dire  disaster  by  wreck?  Who  would  be  wounded  and 
recover  to  re-enlist  as  veterans?  And  who  were  to  con 
stitute  the  whole  gallant  roll  of  re-enlisted  veterans,  to 
become  the  nation's  most  truly  honorable  and  truly 
patriotic  soldiers  of  that  gallant  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  whose  valor  the  public  will  never  cease  to 
praise?  The  officers  of  the  company,  at  this  early 
stage,  could  make  a  very  shrewd  guess  at  some  few  of 
these  different  classifications,  but  any  guess  then  ven 
tured  would  have  been  far  short  of  the  actual  result. 

Who  could  then  foresee  how  large  a  proportion  would 
then  become  substantial  citizens,  proud  heads  of  fam 
ilies  and  always  thankful  to  attend  reunions  of  their 
comrades,  out  of  which  reunions  should  come  a  most 


78 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  RO8TKRS. 


powerful  desire  to  perpetuate  their  military  history  by 
the  preparation  of  this  volume  and  the  publication  of 
this  book? 

When  I  mention,  therefore,  that  forty  years  ago  to 
day  I  had  a  share  in  bringing  together  the  members  of 
Company  A  and  the  33rd  regiment,  I  am  only  taking 
from  the  storehouse  of  memory  a  few  thoughts  and 
ideas,  which  are  mainly  held  in  common  by  all  of  the 
survivors  in  mutual  thoughts  and  memories,  which  we 
are  proud  to  acknowledge  and  which  we  believe  should 
be  assembled  and  marshalled  here. 

The  general  movements  of  the  33rd  regiment  are  all 
given  in  the  general  historical  sketch  published  in  this 
book,  and  I  run  the  risk  of  repetition  if  I  attempt  to 
go  over  the  same  ground.  It  will  be  my  aim  to  refer 
to  events  peculiar  to  this  company  as  far  as  possible, 
but  it  will  inevitably  happen  that  some  of  our  accounts 
will  repeat  or  overlap. 

I  will  not,  therefore,  attempt  to  describe  our  march 
from  Arcadia  to  Arkansas.  We  started  March  1st, 
1802,  in  obedience  to  the  famous  order  and  speech  of 
Major  E.  H.  Roe  in  front  of  the  Arcadia  Seminary, 
the  words:  "Forward  to  Dixie!  March!"  That  te 
dious  march  through  mud  and  swamps,  on  half  rations 
part  of  the  time,  under  hardships  all  the  time,  was 
ended  at  Helena,  Arkansas,  July  14th,  1862.  A  few 
days  before  this  on  our  march,  July  7th,  we  had  been 
engaged  in  the  battle  or  skirmish  known  as  "Cache  Riv 
er"  to  us  and  to  the  rebels  as  "Cotton  Plant".  Of  this 
battle  Marshall  gives  a  most  thrilling  account  in  his 
"Army  Life",  from  which  I  take  the  following  extract : 

"The  early  morning  of  a  summer  day,  as  the  light 
began  to  break  in  the  eastern  sky  on  Monday  morning, 
July  7th,  1862,  found  us  camped-  on  the  west  side  of 
Cache  river.  Work  was  commenced  at  an  early  hour 
and  our  pontoon  bridge  was  soon  thrown  over  the 
river.  The  army  immediately  commenced  crossing. 
Our  guards  bad  been  thrown  some  little  distance  ahead, 
but  we  were  not  troubled  by  the  enemy.  Our  effective 
artillery  work  on  the  previous  night  had  taught  them 
to  keep  at  a  safe  distance. 

"At  seven  o'clock  four  companies  of  the  33rd  Illinois 
and  four  of  the  llth  Wisconsin,  with  one  piece  of  light 
artillery  belonging  to  a  cavalry  regiment,  all  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Hovey,  went  forward  to  see  what 
the  enemy  in  front  of  us  were  doing.  With  a  skirmish 
line  in  advance,  we  went  forward  on  a  rapid  walk. 
Nothing  occurred  till  we  had  marched  about  seven 
miles.  Here  we  came  upon  a  rebel  picket  so  suddenly 
that  they  were  obliged  to  take  to  the  woods,  leaving 
their  guns  and  other  traps  upon  the  ground.  At  the 
point  where  this  picket  guard  had  been  posted  another 
road  crossed  the  one  we  were  upon  at  right  angles. 
This  picket  post  was  to  our  left  as  we  advanced,  or  up 
on  the  north  side  of  the  road.  They  disappeared  in  the 
woods  in  front  of  us,  keeping  to  our  left.  Believing 
that  they  had  gone  to  join  the  command  to  which  they 
belonged,  we  were  confident  that  the  main  force  of  the 
enemy  was  in  the  woods  directly  in  our  front. 


"We  advanced  in  column  and  without  any  line  of 
battle,  having  in  front  only  a  line  of  skirmishers.  Our 
keen-eyed  skirmishers,  many  of  whom  had  been  suc 
cessful  hunters  in  the  wild  woods  of  Wisconsin,  were 
too  quick  for  the  hiding  rebels.  Profiting  by  our  re 
peated  experience  in  the  woods  of  Arkansas  with  the 
rebels  who  at  first  sight  would  shoot  and  run  away,  our 
established  rule  had  become  to  fire  at  the  enemy  as 
soon  as  we  got  near  enough.  Some  of  our  skirmishers 
soon  saw  the  heads  of  the  prostrated  and  hidden  rebels 
and  commenced  firing  on  them.  Now  the  wild  music 
commenced.  Seeing  that  they  were  discovered,  the  en 
tire  rebel  line  rose  up  and  fired  a  terrific  volley  at  our 
skirmishers.  The  distance  was  so  great  that  their  poor 
guns  did  no  serious  damage,  while  the  powerful  rifles 
in  the  hands  of  our  men  told  with  deadly  effect  upon 
the  enemy.  But  it  was  only  our  skirmish  line  of  a  few 
men  engaged.  They  had  no  time  to  reload  their  guns 
and  fire  a  second  time.  Many  of  the  rebels  had  double- 
barrelled  shotguns,  and  thus  each  had  a  charge  still  in 
reserve.  Their  heavy  support  on  horseback  had  started 
rapidly  forward  at  the  first  shot.  Now  the  entire  rebel 
force,  cavalry  and  infantry,  came  forward  upon  a  fierce 
run.  Wisconsin's  little  band  of  skirmishers  had  to  skip 
back  at  a  lively  rate.  They  were  now  out  of  the  fight. 

"Our  time  had  come.  Company  A  was  in  1  he  advance. 
The  ground  upon  which  we  stood  was  some  higher  than 
that  over  which  the  rebels  were  advancing.  Standing  at 
the  brow  of  the  hill  our  one  little  steel  gun  had  com 
menced  a  lively  play  upon  the  advancing  rebels.  As 
our  skirmishers  came  back  on  the  run  we  barely  had 
time  for  part  of  the  company  to  turn  into  line  in  support 
of  the  cannon  and  face  the  enemy  when  they  were  up 
on  us.  They  came  up  on  a  fearful  charge  and  with  but 
little  attention  to  military  order,  the  heavy  lines  of  the 
enemy's  infantry  breaking  up  to  let  through  a  more 
dense  mass  on  horseback.  In  this  way  they  were  right 
upon  us  before  they  saw  our  line.  Now  a  terrific  clash 
of  arms  followed.  Here  we  were  but  a  few  yards  apart. 
Into  the  dense  throng  our  trusty  rifles  were  fired  with 
fearful  effect.  They  replied  with  a  volley  that  made 
the  timber  roar  and  the  ground  tremble.  Lead  enough 
went  screeching  over  our  heads  to  have  swept  off  an 
entire  army.  In  front  of  our  few  guns,  horses,  horse 
men  and  footmen  were  falling  to  the  ground  ;  in  front 
of  theirs,  our  men  stood  unharmed.  Hardly  a  man 
upon  our  side  was  hit  by  this  first  volley.  We  were 
standing  waiting  for  them.  They  were  surprised  to 
meet  us  face  to  face  when  they  supposed  that  our  entire 
line  was  upon  the  run  to  the  rear.  In  the  thick  woods 
numbers  could  not  be  accurately  estimated,  and  our  lit 
tle  line  of  skirmishers  had  given  the  enemy  such  a 
warm  reception  that  they  believed  our  entire  force  was 
in  the  advance  line  and  had  been  driven  back  ;  and  the 
rebels  rushed  madly  on,  never  dreaming  of  the  stub 
born  resistance  they  were  yet  to  meet.  In  surprised 
confusion  they  fired  wildly.  Standing  as  we  did  upon 
the  higher  ground  also  helped  to  save  us.  In  firing  they 
aimed  too  high.  A  few  feet  above  our  heads  the  trees 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


79 


were  almost  swept  clean  by  the  leaden  balls  fired  above 
us.  Leaves  and  twigs  and  limbs  severed  from  the 
trees  by  the  leaden  storm,  dropped  upon  us  like  hail. 
Had  the  rebel  guns  been  aimed  so  as  to  have  sent  the 
bullets  five  or  ten  feet  lower,  none  of  us  would  have 
been  left  alive  to  tell  the  tale  of  our  defeat.  Their  lines 
wavered  and  trembled  at  the  fearful  punishment  they 
received ;  but  the  force  of  the  heavy  mass  coining  so 
swiftly  impelled  them  on,  on  into  our  very  midst. 
Fortunately  their  guns,  like  ours,  had  been  fired  and 
were  now  unloaded.  But  close  at  hand,  fast  rushing 
upon  us,  were  still  other  heavy  forces  of  the  enemy 
with  lead  in  their  guns. 

"Let  no  one  suppose  that  Company  A,  a  mere  hand 
ful  of  men,  stood  there  in  formal  army  line,  with  these 
hosts  of  fresh  rebels  coming  up  to  shoot  at  us,  while 
we  went  through  all  of  the  motions  of  reloading  our 
empty  guns.  No,  indeed.  Plenty  of  good  trees  to  get 
behind  were  too  near  at  hand.  But  ere  we  fell  back 
there  wa«  a  little  work  to  do.  As  soon  as  it  became 
certain  that  we  must  fall  back,  the  first  thought  was  to 
save  the  little  steel  cannon.  The  driver  swung  his 
team  into  place,  the  gun  was  hooked  on  the  caisson, 
the  gunners  scampered  back  under  cover  of  the  woods, 
and  yet,  oh,  misery,  there  stood  our  little  cannon.  The 
soldier  heart  always  bleeds  to  see  a  flag  or  a  piece  of 
artillery  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands.  At  the  first 
jump  of  the  team  the  quick  start  had  thrown  the  can 
non  from  its  fastenings.  The  bold  driver  was  wounded 
and  could  not  at  once  bring  his  horses  to  a  stand.  In 
the  midst  of  the  fierce  storm  raging  about  us,  Captain 
Potter  coolly  said:  'Steady,  boys;  save  the  gun.'  Ser 
geant  Ed.  Pike  of  our  company,  ran  up  and  grabbed 
hold  of  the  cannon  with  one  hand,  his  own  rifle  in  the 
other,  and  with  the  strength  of  a  giant  and  the  assist 
ance  of  Chauncey  A.  Chamberlain,  ran  down  the  road, 
hooked  it  to  the  caisson,  and  the  team  galloped  to  the 
rear  and  saved  the  gun.  The  rebels  were  all  around. 
The  nearest  horseman  was  almost  close  enough  to  have 
struck  Pike  with  his  saber.  The  rebels  were,  how 
ever,  completely  dashed  by  the  extreme  audacity  of  the 
movement.  Half  a  dozen  of  us,  the  tallest  members  of 
the  company,  and  thus  thrown  near  to  Pike,  our  order 
ly  sergeant,  were  all  that  were  near  enough  to  witness 
the  strange  scene.  A  strange  scene,  indeed  !  With  one 
false  step,  or  the  loss  of  a  single  second  of  time,  it 
would  have  been  a  tragedy.  With  our  heavy  guns  in 
hand  we  were  ready  to  aid  our  brave  comrade  if  we 
could,  had  the  rebels  raised  their  sabers  to  strike;  but, 
it  may  be  confessed,  we  had  no  desire  to  enter  into  a 
clubbing  fight  with  unloaded  guns  unless  compelled  to 
do  so.  As  soon  as  the  cannon  was  hitched  to  the  cais 
son  and  saved  by  the  galloping  team,  we  made  lively 
time  to  join  our  comrades  in  finding  good  places  and 
friendly  trees  behind  which  we  could  stop  arid  reload 
our  rifles. " 

As  my  own  position  was  close  to  Sergeant  Pike,  I 
can  testify  to  the  correctness  of  Marshall's  description. 
In  fact,  I  noticed  two  or  three  rebels  actually  reaching 


up  to  try  to  catch  the  bridles  of  the  artillery  horses, 
thinking  they  had  captured  the  gun,  just  before  it  was 
attached;  and  I  distinctly  remember  hearing  Pike  tell 
the  artilleryman  to  "drive  on"  the  instant  the  attach 
ment  was  made.  The  rebels  evidently  felt  sure  of  the 
capture.  I  am  glad  to  add  that  two  years  ago  Sergeant 
Pike,  mainly  through  the  recommendations  of  Ex-Gov 
ernor  Fifer,  obtained  from  the  Secretary  of  War  a 
medal  of  honor,  the  only  madal.  as  far  as  \  know,  ever 
given  to  any  member  of  the  33rd. 

This  march  from  Arcadia,  Missouri,  by  way  of 
Batesville,  Jacksonport,  Clarendon,  Cache  river  and 
other  points,  a  distance  of  about  400  miles,  occupied 
until  July  14th,  when  we  arrived  at  the  bank  of  the 
Mississippi  river  at  Helena,  Arkansas.  It  was  a  tedious 
march,  but  later  experience  taught  the  company  that 
it  was  little  nrore  than  the  average  of  army  experi 
ences.  We  were  soon  at  Old  Town  Landing,  below 
Helena,  and  from  there  were  sent  on  several  expeditions 
into  Mississippi  or  down  the  river  on  steamboats  gath 
ering  cotton,  in  some  cases  for  the  government,  or 
skirmishing  with  guerrillas;  and  all  the  time  imbibing 
the  deadly  malaria  of  the  low  lands  of  the  Mississippi. 
It  was  here  that  the  seeds  of  disease  were  planted  in 
many  of  our  constitutions,  and  quite  a  number  of 
deaths  occurred  from  this  kind  of  exposure. 

August  4,  1862,  on  the  Mississippi  side  of  the  river, 
Company  A  lost  its  first  soldier  from  rebel  bullets — Al- 
vin  T.  Lewis  of  Normal,  one  of  the  students  of  the 
Model  School.  Lewis  was  killed  in  a  skirmish  at 
which  time  four  others  were  wounded,  when  Company 
A  was  attacked  by  three  companies  of  rebel  cavalry, 
who  lost  several  in  killed  and  wounded. 

But  the  swamp  water  and  malaria  of  the  district, 
where  not  even  the  negroes- could  live  through  the 
summer  and  where  it  was  customary  for  all  the  white 
people  to  remove  to  the  bluff's  or  highlands,  caused 
nearly  the  entire  regiment  to  be  on  the  sick  list.  It  is 
an  actual  fact  that  the  regiment  was  officially  declared 
by  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Army  to  be  in  need 
of  a  change  of  climate,  and  it  was  ordered  North  for 
its  health.  October  5th  it  started  for  Sulphur  Springs, 
Missouri,  a  few  miles  below  St.  Louis.  But  few  other 
instances  svere  known  during  the  war  where  ill  health 
was  the  only  cause  of  such  a  change  of  location  ;  in 
fact,  it  is  the  only  case  which  ever  came  to  my 
knowledge. 

This  account  must  hasten  forward  and  merely  allude 
to  the  second  march  of  the  regiment  through  Southeast 
Missouri  in  the  fall  of  18(52  and  the  following  winter ;  it 
was  hard  service  but  decidedly  healthful,  so  that  when 
orders  came  in  February  to  proceed  to  St.  Genevieve, 
Missouri,  to  embark  for  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  it 
found  the  regiment  in  good  health  and  actually  ready 
for  such  service. 

Ten  days  on  the  steamer  Illinois  took  us  down  the 
river  to  Milliken's  Bend,  Louisiana,  where  rny  own 
personal  connection  with  the  company  ceased.  Ty 
phoid  fever  in  Arcadia  in  the  winter  of  18(31  and  1862, 


80 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS'. 


with  the  malarial  fever  in  Arkansas  in  the  summer  of 
1802,  had  unfitted  me  for  service,  and  like  a  large  per 
centage  of  others,  I  returned  North,  greatly  to  my  own 
regret.  It  was  like  leaving  home  and  family,  so  at 
tached  had  I  become  to  the  noble-hearted  young  men  of 
this  remarkable  company;  and  the  preparation  of  this 
sketch  has  been  to  me  a  labor  of  love  and  affection, 
which  I  am  truly  thankful  to  be  allowed  to  perform. 

Few,  even  of  our  most  careful  observers,  are  aware  of 
the  immense  importance  of  the  movement  which  was 
taking  place  in  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864  towards  the 
re-enlistment  of  the  soldiers  in  the  field.  Its  influence 
on  the  result  of  the  war  can  hardly  be  overestimated. 
Here  were  about  one  hundred  thousand  of  the  best  sol 
diers  the  world  ever  saw,  trained,  sifted,  disciplined, 
hardy,  patriotic  soldiers,  the  best  possible  material,  com 
prising  the  most  truly  patriotic  of  all  our  noble  army, 
ready  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  home  and  again  offer  up 
their  lives,  if  needed,  for  another  term  of  three  years. 
When  compared  with  the  class  of  volunteers  the  gov 
ernment  was  getting  at  that  date — mere  bounty-grabbers 
in  some  cases,  or  young  boys,  barely,  perhaps  rarely,  of 
proper  age  for  enlistment,  these  veteran  volunteers  were 
worth  three  or  four  times  an  equal  number  of  the  kind 
of  men  then  being  furnished  to  fill  the  quotas  of  the 
different  states. 

Posterity  will  never  value  these  soldiers  at  their  true 
worth,  because  those  who  were  living  at  the  time  were 
generally  unable  to  properly  estimate  the  enormous  im 
portance  of  the  movement.  Every  man  who  thus  en 
listed  was  a  real  hero,  and  it  is  a  shame  that  the  public 
has  never  found  a  way  to  give  separate  and  special 
honor  to  every  soldier  of  this  class. 

Company  A  furnished  its  full  share  of  the  regiment's 
re-enlisted  veterans,  when  the  movement  took  place  on 
the  Texas  shore  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  No  less  than 
forty-five  of  its  number  can  boast  of  having  their 
names  on  this  proud  roll  of  honor,  their  service  dating 
from  January  1,  18(i4,  to  the  time  of  their  muster-out, 
November  24,  1865.  Of  this  number  only  two  lost  their 
lives  from  casualty,  and  those  were  killed  in  the  rail 
road  wreck  near  Boutee  Station,  Louisiana,  March  2, 
186").  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  out  of  these  forty- 
five  stalwart,  sturdy  heroes,  nearly  or  quite  twenty  are 
alive  at  the  time  of  this  writing. 

The  regimental  organi/ation  enlisted  for  three  years 
more  and  the  veterans  all  went  home  on  a  thirty-day 
furlough.  Those  who  had  not  re-enlisted  were  then 
transferred  to  the  99th  Illinois,  and  the  veterans  made 


a  jolly  trip  to  Illinois.  They  were  given  a  reception  at 
Bloomington,  which  was  then  my  home,  and  where  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  assisting  in  carrying  out  the  plans 
made  for  the  entertainment  of  those  who  carne  as  far 
north  as  that  city.  The  public  appeared  to  realize  the 
great  importance  of  the  affair;  but,  as  I  have  stated, 
very  few  actually  understood  the  value  to  the  Union 
cause  of  this  tremendous  reinforcement  given  to  the  ar 
mies  in  the  field.  The  rebels,  however,  realized  full 
well  what  one  such  soldier  or  officer  was  worth  to  our 
side  of  the  question,  and  this  great  movement  turned 
the  scale  in  our  favor  more  powerfully  than  anything 
else.  From  this  time  forward  the  Rebellion  was 
doomed. 

Quite  a  number  of  those  whose  three-years'  term  had 
expired,  who  felt  they  had  performed  their  full  share 
of  putting  down  the  Rebellion,  or  whose  future  duties 
required  their  presence  at  home,  did  not  re-enlist,  but 
in  good  faith  served  their  term  and  returned  to  their 
homes  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1864.  Everyone  of 
these,  as  well  as  the  soldiers  discharged  for  disability, 
is  fully  entitled  to  the  Nation's  gratitude,  and  is  justi 
fied  in  taking  pride  in  his  own  record  and  in  the  record 
of  his  company  and  regiment.  All  such  can  surely  join 
in  giving  honor  to  those  who  performed  more  than  their 
own  full  share  by  re-enlisting  in  the  field  on  that  lone 
ly  Texas  coast. 

How  well  our  comrades  have  succeeded  in  life,  what 
rewards  they  have  now,  may  be  inferred  from  the  good 
reports  heard  at  the  eight  or  ten  regimental  reunions 
held  since  the  war,  where  Company  A  is  always  repre 
sented  and  where  the  survivors  gladly  hear  excellent 
accounts  from  the  great  majority  of  their  comrades, 
whether  present,  absent  or  accounted  for.  Some  of 
these,  five  or  more,  have  been  members  of  the  State 
Legislatures  of  Illinois,  Ohio,  Dakota  or  Kansas. 
Others  have  become  bankers  or  capitalists ;  several  are 
wealthy  farmers ;  others  are  successful  business  men  ;  a 
few  have  been  teachers  or  literary  men,  and  others 
have  prospered  in  the  various  walks  of  life.  Very  few 
have  been  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  Soldiers'  Homes ; 
scarcely  any  are  poor,  though  a  few  have  been  unfor 
tunate  in  many  ways.  Not  a  single  company  in  the 
regiment  can  boast  of  a  better  feeling  of  comradeship, 
and  it  is  thought  no  other  company,  excepting,  possi 
bly,  B  Company,  has  kept  up  such  a  large  and  enjoy 
able  communication. 

J.  H.    BURNHAM. 

Bloomington,  111. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


81 


INCIDENTAL  NOTES  OF  "A"  COMPANY. 

BY  CAPTAIN  HARVEY  J.  DUTTON. 


More  than  forty  years  have  passed  since  Company  A, 
33rd  Illinois  Infantry,  received  its  first  baptism  of  fire 
at  Fredericktown,  Mo.,  and  I,  perhaps  because  I  was 
so  thoroughly  identified  with  the  company  from  start 
to  finish,  am  asked  to  take  up  the  history  of  the  com 
pany  where  a  former  Captain  (Burnham)  has  left  it, 
and  follow  it  through  its  remaining  days  and  years  of 
service.  The  thought  almost  appalls  me — not  because  I 
dislike  to  think  or  talk  of  those  times  when 

"We  shared  our  tents  and  blankets  together. 

And  marched  and  fought  in  all  kinds  of  weather," 
but  because  I  know  I  shall  fail,  on  account  of  impaired 
memory  and  insufficient  data,  to  do  justice  either  to 
the  living  or  to  the  memory  of  the  dead.  But  as  my 
love  for  Company  A,  as  it  was  in  those  days  when  we 
"drank  from  the  same  canteen",  remains  as  a  cherished 
memory,  and  a  desire  to  do  my  share  in  perpetuating 
the  history  of  that  noble  company  outweighs  any  feel 
ing  of  unworthiness,  I  attempt  the  task.  What  1  shall 
write  may  be  more  in  the  nature  of  personal  reminis 
cences  than  actual  history,  and  if  I  make  some  mis- 
statements  or  fail  to  mention  important  facts,  remem 
ber,  comrades,  it  is  thirty-six  years  since  we  bade  each 
other  "good-bye"  at  Springfield,  111.,  laying  aside  the 
implements  of  war,  having  done  our  duty  to  our  coun 
try  as  best  we  could,  to  mingle  again  with  friends  and 
loved  ones,  to  renew  the  ties  of  love  and  friendship,  or 
perchance  to  form  new  ones,  and  to  take  up  again  the 
broken  chain  of  civil  life.  Years  of  success  to  some  of 
us,  of  failure  to  others,  but  to  all,  I  trust,  the  proud 
recollection  that  when  our  country  called  we  answered  ; 
and  because  we,  and  thousands  of  others  like  us,  an 
swered,  many  with  tbeir  lives,  many  others  with  broken 
health  or  shattered  limb,  we  still  have  a  country  of 
which  we  and  our  posterity  may  well  be  proud. 

It  may  interest  some  who  chance  to  see  these  lines  to 
know  something  of  the  antecedents  of  the  writer.  To 
such  I  would  say,  1  was  a  Normal  student  from  Wood- 
ford  county,  111.,  a  member  of  the  graduating  class 
when  the  first  call  for  "seventy-five  thousand"  was 
made.  Like  many  others,  I  was  anxious  to  have  a 
hand  in  "putting  down  the  rebellion",  but  heeded  the 
advice  of  C.  E.  Hovey,  the  Principal,  to  remain  in 
school  until  the  close  of  the  school  year,  under  his 
promise  to  form  a  company  and  employ  a  competent 
drill  master.  That  promise  was  kept ;  the  drill  master 
came  and  I  promptly  identified  myself  with  the  "Nor 
mal  Rifles"  and  took  such  an  interest  in  it  that  I  was 
soon  deemed  competent  to  drill  a  squad.  1  mention 
this  to  partly  account  for  the  position  of  Sergeant  to 
which  I  was  appointed  later. 


Believing  that  it  will  be  of  interest  to  the  members 
and  friends  of  the  company  that  special  mention  be 
made  of  as  many  of  its  members  as  possible,  and  hav 
ing  the  muster-out  rolls  of  the  company  in  my  posses 
sion — imperfect  though  they  are— I  propose  to  supple 
ment  Capt.  Burnham 's  sketch  with  the  names  of  the 
non-commissioned  officers,  as  far  as  possible.  When 
the  company  elected  its  officers  at  Bloomington,  as  told 
by  Capt.  Burnham,  William  C.  Baker  was  elected  First 
or  Orderly  Sergeant.  A  few  days  later  at  Camp  Butler 
Lieut.  Burnham,  in  the  absence  of  Capt.  Potter,  but 
under  his  instructions,  took  the  company  out  to  one 
side  of  camp  to  complete  its  organization  by  electing 
the  non-commissioned  officers,  with  special  instructions 
(as  I  afterward  learned)  to  "have  Button  elected  one 
of  the  Sergeants".  Competition  between  the  different 
squads  developed  to  such  an  extent  that  the  election 
proved  rather  lengthy.  After  electing  John  X.  Wilson 
2nd  Sergeant,  Edward  M.  Pike  3rd,  and  James  R. 
Fyff'e  4th,  the  hour  getting  late  and  "Dutton"  not 
developing  much  strength,  Burnham,  fearing  a  mis 
carriage  of  his  "special  instructions",  by  an  adroit 
movement  secured  the  introduction  of  a  motion  to  leave 
the  selection  of  the  remaining  non-commissioned  offi 
cers  to  the  commissioned  officers,  when  Capt.  Potter 
should  return.  This  motion  carried  quite  unanimously, 
and  to  this  fact  I  presume  I  owed  my  appointment  as 
5th  Sergt.  Right  here  I  desire  to  say,  in  honor  to  the 
memory  of  Capt.  Potter  and  in  justice  to  Capt.  Burn- 
ham,  that  I  did  not  appreciate  this  action  on  their 
part  at  that  time  as  I  did  later  on.  I  \vish  to  say  fur 
ther  that  I  went  into  the  service  witli  no  aspirations 
but  to  be  "one  of  the  boys,  to  be  allowed  to  carry  a  gun 
and  shoot  rebels." 

The  Corporals  appointed  at  that  time  were  Charles  E. 
Wilcox,  Isaac  N.  McCuddy,  Charles  II.  Besse,  Charles 
Bovee,  Francis  M.  Gastman,  Alvin  T.  Lewis,  Spillman 

F.  Willis,  and    Daniel   1).  Carpenter.     John    X.    Wilson 
was  appointed  Sergeant  Major  of  the  regiment,  to  rank 
as  such  from  date  of  enlistment.     Wilcox  was  promoted 
Sergeant,    and   Charles  Tobey   Corporal  Oct.  26th,    '61. 
McCuddy  died   Oct.  19th,  '61,  and   Matthew   H.  Power 
was  promoted   to  Corporal  Oct.   26th,  '61.     William  C. 
Baker    was    discharged   for  disability   April    1st,    1862 
(He  died   some  years  later  at  Silman    Valley,  111.  ;  the 

G.  A.  R.  post  at  that  place  is  named  in  his  honor),  at 
which  time  Ed.  Pike  received  the  well  deserved  promo 
tion   to  Orderly   Sergeant.     He  had,    in   fact,  acted  as 
such  most  of  the   time  since  enlistment  on  account  of 
Baker's  disability  ;  and  while  Company  A  was  peculi 
arly  fortunate  in  having  good  Orderly  Sergeants,  Pike's 


11 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


superior  never  showed  up.  His  excellence  in  that  capa 
city,  I  believe,  stood  in  the  way  of  his  own  advance 
ment.  Corporal  Willis  was  promoted  to  Sergeant  April 
1st,  '62.  F.  M.  Gastman  died  at  Reeve's  Station  March 
22nd,  '62.  About  this  time  David  Bigger  and  Ebe- 
nezer  D.  Harris  were  made  Corporals,  and  soon  after 
Elisha  Burrows. 

I  find  I  shall  be  unable  to  note  all  the  changes  in 
their  proper  order  as  they  occurred,  through  the  entire 
service,  but  will  say  this — that  while  all  deserving  ones 
were  not  promoted — could  not  be— none  but  deserving 
ones  were  promoted.  None,  to  my  knowledge,  ever 
disgraced  his  position.  Perhaps  T  might  make  one 
exception  ;  I  remember  on  our  march  to  Batesville  a 
certain  Sergeant  so  far  forgot  himself  as  to  be  the  ob 
ject  of  Captain  Potter's  stern  command— "Consider 
yourself  under  arrest !" — and  all  on  account  of  his  (the 
Sergeant's)  insatiable  appetite  for  fruit,  especially  mul 
berries.  The  serious  part  of  the  affair  to  him  was— the 
next  day  being  Sunday  — he  was  not  allowed  to  appear 
with  the  company  on  inspection,  and  the  boys  all  re 
member  how  he  jiwf  loved  to  "fix  up"  for  Sunday 
morning  inspection.  Am  not  sure  that  "the  Sergeant" 
has  quite  forgiven  Pike  yet  for  the  superior  "airs"  he 
"put  on"  the  next  morning  when  he  came  to  the  Ser 
geant's  tent  and  informed  him  he  was  released  from 
arrest  and  to  fall  in  with  the  company. 

Early  in  November,  soon  after  starting  on  the  winter 
campaign  in  Missouri,  one  of  the  eventful  incidents  in 
my  army  life  occurred.  Capt.  Potter  having  been 
promoted  to  Major,  our  Lieutenants  were  advanced  one 
grade,  leaving  a  vacancy  for  2nd  Lieutenant  which  was 
to  be  filled  by  an  election.  There  wTere,  if  I  remember 
rightly,  three  candidates— Ed.  Pike,  1st  Sergt.  ;  John  X. 
Wilson,  Sergt.  Maj.  (formerly  of  Co.  A),  and  myself, 
now  8rd  Sergt.  I  urged  Fyffe,  our  2nd  Sergt.,  to  try 
for  the  position,  while  he  insisted  that  I  should  signify 
my  willingness  to  accept,  and  with  his  help  I  was 
elected  by  such  a  Mattering  majority  that  I  was  highly 
elated  over  it— not  that  I  had  won  a  victory  over  my 
superiors,  but  that  the  boys  with  whom  I  had  been  so 
closely  associated  for  now  over  a  year  deemed  me 
worthy  of  the  place.  I  wish  to  emphasize  this  fact:  it 
was  the  boys  of  Company  A  that  elected  me.  I  laid 
aside  the  gun,  accoutrements  and  knapsack,  and  with 
out  a  single  tear  donned  the  sword  belt  and  $15  sash 
with  a  great  deal  of— of— awkwardness.  This  was  the 
last  election  held  in  the  company. 

To  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Corporal 
Lewis,  August  4th,  '62  (see  Burnham's  sketch),  Ras- 
selas  P.  Reynolds  was  appointed.  The  discharge  of 
Bovee  Oct.  loth,  '62,  on  account  of  wounds  received 
Aug.  4th,  was  followed  by  the  promotion  of  Henry  A. 
Whitney,  Oct.  16th,  '62,  and  J.  I).  King  was  promoted 
Oct.  17th.  Other  promotions  at  this  time  (Sept.  oth, 
'62)  were  Corporal  Besse  to  Sergt.  and  S.  W.  Durflinger 
to  Corporal. 

Another  incident  of  great  interest  to  Company  A 
which  occurred  soon  after,  was  the  procuring  and  pres 


entation  to  our  former  Captain  (now  Major)  Potter  of  a 
handsome  sword  and  belt  by  the  company.  Some  of 
the  boys  insisted  that  I  should  make  the  presentation 
speech,  inasmuch  as  I  was  especially  benefitted  by  Maj. 
Potter's  promotion.  I  replied  by  reminding  them  that 
Durflinger's  promotion  was  of  the  same  date  and  from 
the  same  cause.  His  presentation  speech  is  as  follows: 

"Major  Potter:— For  the  past  fifteen  months  you 
have  been  connected  with  us  in  one  of  the  most  endear 
ing  relations  arising  from  the  intercourse  of  men.  That 
relation  has  been  disturbed ;  yet  we  cannot  permit  a 
separation  without  some  expression  of  esteem,  some 
testimonial  of  gratitude.  United  in  this  relation  we 
have  mutually  shared  danger  and  adversity,  health  and 
prosperity.  We  have  traversed  together  the  mountains 
and  fastnesses  of  Missouri,  the  long  lanes  and  shady 
aisles  of  Arkansas,  and  the  jungles  of  Mississippi, 
darkened  with  all  the  wild,  untrained  luxuriance  of 
the  primitive  forest.  We  have  drank  at  the  same 
springs,  crossed  the  same  streams,  climbed  the  same 
hills,  sustained  each  other  in  the  same  perils,  and  re 
joiced  in  the  snme  triumphs.  Thus  united  with  us  by 
a  common  cause,  bound  together  by  kindred  ties,  suf 
ferings  and  sympathies,  you  have  shared  with  us  what 
ever  of  bitter  and  sweet  the  past  has  afforded.  That  in 
visible  tie  uniting  heart  to  heart  and  friend  to  friend 
has— we  little  know  where  or  when— sprung  up  between 
us.  Though  these  pre-existing  relations  have  been  dis 
turbed,  we  trust  this  bond  of  union  may  never  be  sun 
dered.  Though  the  events  of  the  past  year  and  the 
proceedings  of  this  day  may  have  no  place  on  the  his 
torian's  page,  by  ourselves  they  will  be  fondly  cher 
ished  while  memory  holds  her  place;  and  when  hoary 
age  conies  on  it  will  delight  us  to  remember  these 
things.  In  remembrance  of  past  associations,  in  view  of 
your  many  merits,  and  with  feelings  of  sincere  regard, 
we  offer  you  this  token  of  our  esteem,  this  memorial  of 
our  gratitude,  knowing  that  it  will  never  be  dishon 
ored;  knowing  that  it  will  never  be  drawn  but  in  the 
cause  of  justice  and  humanity  ;  knowing  that  it  will 
never  be  sheathed  till  the  wrongs  of  our  country  are 
redressed.  Accept  it  in  the  kindly  spirit  in  which  it 
is  offered  ;  and  whenever,  in  coming  time,  you  may 
chance  to  see  it,  either  in  the  din  of  battle  or  peaceful 
quietude  of  home,  bestow  a  hasty  thought  upon  those 
who  now  stand  about  you,  breathing  a  petition  to  the 
God  of  Heaven  that  your  life  may  be  spared  and  your 
arm  nerved  to  strike  long  and  valiantly  in  the  battles 
of  freedom. " 

At  Milliken's  Bend  occurred  another  important  inci 
dent  in  the  history  of  Company  A.  Capt.  Burnham, 
who  had  suffered  so  severely  the  previous  summer  from 
malaria  and  typhoid  fever  while  in  the  Mississippi 
bottoms,  fearing  a  recurrence  of  the  same  trouble,  sent 
in  his  resignation,  which  was,  in  due  time,  accepted. 
On  the  first  of  April,  I  think  it  was,  he  left  us.  The 
company  called  a  meeting  and  appointed  a  committee, 
who  drafted  the  following  resolutions,  which  were 
adopted  and  presented  to  him  : 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


83 


"Milliken's  Bend,  La.,  Mar.  30,  '63. 

"Whereas,  our  late  Captain,  John  H.  Burnham,  has 
discontinued  his  connection  with  the  army,  we,  the 
members  of  Company  A,  33rd  Illinois  Infantry,  there 
fore  resolve : 

"1st.  That  we  deeply  regret  that  his  relation  with 
us  as  Captain  has  been  broken. 

"2nd.  That  we  have  found  him  to  be  a  kind,  cau 
tious  and  brave  commander,  ever  faithfully  discharg 
ing  his  duties  to  us  as  soldiers;  that  he  has  stood  by  us 
in  times  of  danger  and  peril,  and  that  we  highly  ap 
preciate  his  warm  friendship  for  us,  and  his  love  of 
countrj7,  as  exhibited  on  the  battlefield  and  in  camp, 
where  he  kindly  cared  for  us  when  sick,  and  as  kindly 
restrained  us  when  wayward,  and  proved  himself  an 
exemplary  man  and  soldier. 

"3rd.  That  he  has  commanded  the  respect  and  es 
teem  of  us  all ;  that  wherever  he  may  be,  whether  in 
civil  or  military  life,  he  has  our  warm  affection,  and 
that  we  hereby  tender  him  these  resolutions  as  a  token 
of  our  friendship  and  sincere  regard. 

C.  E.  WILCOX, 
MATTHEW  H.  POWER, 

D.  NEWTON, 

Committee." 

Burnham's  leaving  us  necessitated  another  change  in 
our  list  of  officers.  Norton,  who  had  for  some  time 
been  acting  Regimental  Quartermaster,  took  command 
of  the  company.  His  commission  as  Captain  and  mine 
as  1st  Lieut,  came  in  due  time,  and  Sergt.  J.  R.  Fyfl'e, 
by  some  influence  in  his  behalf  at  Springfield,  received 
the  appointment  of  2nd  Lieut.  As  a  tribute  to  his 
memory,  allow  me  to  say  that  probably  no  one  in  the 
company  knew  or  appreciated  his  sterling  worth,  his 
unselfish  friendship,  his  devoted  patriotism,  better 
than  I.  We  had  been  close  friends  at  Normal ;  for  over 
a  year  as  Sergeants  we  had  been  "bunkies",  and  al 
though  we  had  for  a  few  months  been  separated  by 
that  line,  never  very  clearly  drawn  in  Company  A, 
separating  commissioned  officers  from  enlisted  men, 
the  ties  of  friendship,  of  comradeship  were  never  loos 
ened,  and  when  his  promotion  came  I  think  no  one 
congratulated  him  more  sincerely  than  I.  About  this 
time  C.  E.  Wilcox  was  promoted  to  Sergt.  Major  of  the 
regiment;  Corporals  Charles  Tobey  and  S.  W.  Dur- 
flinger  to  Sergeants,  and  Dawson  Newton  to  Corporal. 

Of  the  many  thrilling  incidents  of  the  Vicksburg  cam 
paign  I  shall  only  attempt  to  mention  a  few  that  came 
under  my  special  notice.  I  believe  it  is  claimed  that  it 
was  the  33rd  Illinois,  Company  A  leading,  that  first 
reached  the  bluffs  after  landing  at  Bruinsburg,  Miss., 
and  that  was  my  belief ;  but  I  have  seen  that  honor 
claimed  by  others,  so  I  pass  that  point.  I  have  a  very 
distinct  recollection  of  going  back  to  the  landing  with 
a  detail  to  bring  up  rations  for  the  company  ;  of  how 
the  boys  carried  cracker  boxes  on  their  shoulders  and 
sides  of  bacon  on  sticks,  and  when  we  got  back  to  the 
regiment  and  found  it  in  line,  ready  to  march,  how 


the   rations  were  quickly  transferred   to  haversacks  and 
we  started  on  that  night  march. 

In  the  battle  of  Magnolia  Hills  (as  we  called  it)  Co. 
A,  on  the  skirmish  line  a  part  of  the  time,  suffered  no 
casualties,  I  believe,  but  had  some  pretty  close  calls 
from  a  rebel  battery  that  discovered  us  and  sent  us 
their  "be^t  respects".  I  remember  one  shell  that 
struck  very  close  to  Luke  Dickermnn  as  he  lay  a  little 
in  front  of  where  [  was  standing.  The  shell  went  into 
the  ground  a  couple  of  feet,  and  when  it  exploded 
threw  the  dirt  all  over  us.  A  piece  of  another  shell 
that  exploded  over  our  heads  struck  the  toe  of  my  boot. 
We  learned  right  there  that  shells  could  burst  around 
and  over  us  without  killing  everybody  in  sight. 

I  pass  hastily  over  our  experiences  of  the  march 
towards  Jackson,  short  rations,  literally  living  out 
doors,  only  to  remark  that  some  of  the  company  devel 
oped  considerable  ability  as  foragers.  Speaking  of  this 
campaign,  Marshall,  in  his  "Army  Life"  (page  20<>), 
says,  "Company  A  went  out  foraging;  all  we  got  was 
a  little  corn  meal."  While  I  do  not  think  he  intended 
to  cast  any  reflections  on  Company  A  for  failing  to  get 
what  it  "went  after",  he  should  have  explained  that 
Peverly,  Dick  and  Jim  Spradling,  Sam  Smith  and 
some  others  were  either  too  sick  to  leave  camp  or  were 
on  some  other  duty.  I  do  not  remember  about  that, 
but  I  do  remember  two  or  three  days  later,  as  we  were 
"falling  in"  ready  to  march,  Peverly  said  he  did  not 
feel  able  to  march  in  ranks,  but  thought  he  could  make 
it  all  right  if  allowed  to  take  his  time  for  it.  He  got 
the  desired  permission. 

That  night,  just  after  going  into  camp,  here  comes 
"Pev.",  carrying  gun,  accoutrements,  knapsack,  haver 
sack,  canteen,  and  a  four  or  six  gallon  stone  jar  full  of 
preserves  (it  may  have  been  honey;  "Pev."  was  fond 
of  honey),  besides  other  edibles  in  his  haversack. 

I  think  of  nothing  deserving  special  mention  until 
the  day  of  the  battle  of  Champion's  Hill,  when  we  lay 
in  reserve  until  late  in  the  afternoon.  Our  regiment 
was  called  to  the  front  on  double  quick.  It  was  a  se 
vere  trial  of  endurance,  especially  so  to  Francis  A. 
Beach,  who,  when  nearly  to  the  end  of  our  rapid 
march,  fell  from  sheer  exhaustion,  never  to  recover. 
He  died  June  !)th,  1863. 

That  night  Company  A  fared  pretty  well,  as  we  slept 
in  a  warehouse  at  P^dward's  Station.  The  next  morn 
ing  at  daylight  Company  A  was  assigned  to  the  left  of 
the  skirmish  line,  which  advanced  under  command  of 
Capt.  Elliott.  Our  route  was  through  open  fields  to  the 
left  of  the  railroad,  with  here  and  there  a  dead  tree  or 
stump.  In  passing  some  negro  cabins  Luke  Dickerman 
captured  three  "Johnnies"  and  turned  them  over  to 
Corporal  J.  D.  King,  who  escorted  them  to  the  rear. 
We  passed  through  a  rye  field  wet  with  a  heavy  dew  ; 
then  into  a  cornfield — corn  about  knee  high.  As  we 
approached  the  works  the  "rebs"  opened  on  us  with 
their  artillery,  throwing  shot,  shell  and  grape.  The 
command  to  "halt  and  lie  down"  was  executed  by 
Company  A  with  its  usual  alacrity,  nor  did  I  hear  a 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


single  complaint  for  being  ordered  to  lie  down  on  the 
freshly  plowed  ground  in  their  clothes  as  wet  as  water 
could  make  them.  As  Dickerman  puts  it,  "we  were  a 
sorry  looking  set.1'  I  wish  I  could  remember  the 
names  of  the  two  boys  that  were  behind  a  stump  that  a 
rebel  shot  went  through,  splitting  off  a  piece  of  the 
stump  and  rolling  one  of  the  boys  over,  hurting  him 
slightly;  I  think  it  was  David  Shaw.  The  other  boy's 
hat  flew  off— whether  from  the  jar  to  the  stump  or  to 
his  nerves,  I  could  not  say.  My  hat  came  near  flying 
off  when  that  charge  of  grape  shot  threw  so  much  dirt 
around  and  over  some  of  us.  John  W.  Spradling  re 
ceived  a  severe  wound  here;  a  ball  struck  his  cartridge 
box  with  such  force  as  to  smash  it  all  out  of  shape,  and 
injured  him  internally.  He  was  sent  to  the  Memphis 
Hospital  and  afterwards  to  the  Chicago  Marine  Hospi 
tal,  where  he  was  discharged  Feb.  3rd,  '64. 

May  19th  we  approached  Vicksburg,  and  while  occu 
pying  the  position  assigned  us,  a  rebel  bullet  came  sing 
ing  through  the  trees  and  struck  Capt.  Norton  in  the 
breast  with  sufficient  force  to  disable  him  for  further 
service.  May  20th  we  approached  still  nearer  to  the 
rebel  works.  On  the  21st  Company  A  was  sent  out  as 
skirmishers.  Some  of  our  own  troops  coming  over  a 
hill  in  our  rear  commenced  tiring  on  us,  severely 
wounding  Francis  M.  De  Boice.  His  wounded  leg  was 
amputated  and  he  was  sent  to  Memphis  Hospital  a  few 
days  later,  where  he  died  June  llth.  I  sent  one  of  the 
boys  back  with  a  handkerchief  on  the  ramrod  of  his 
gun  to  signal  them  to  stop  the  firing. 

Of  the  charge  of  May  22nd  and  the  siege,  I  shall 
speak  as  briefly  as  possible.  Company  A  took  the  place 
assigned,  Company  E  leading,  and  I  think  Company 
A  third.  Instructions  were  as  we  emerged  from  the 
ravine  to  turn  sharply  to  the  left,  cross  the  road  as 
quickly  as  possible,  seek  the  shelter  of  a  slight  eleva 
tion  south  of  the  road,  and  wait  for  the  rest  to  come 
up. 

In  crossing  the  road  Wm.  T.  Biggerstaff  and  Absa 
lom  Zartman  were  killed.  Luke  Dickerman  gives  his 
experience  in  these  words:  "Just  then  Biggerstaff  fell 
in  front  of  me;  I  saw  the  blood  come  out  of  his  left  ear 
and  knew  there  was  no  help  for  him.  I  jumped  over 
him  and  in  an  instant  I  was  struck  in  my  left  leg,  half 
way  between  knee  and  thigh,  just  enough  to  cut  the 
flesh.  It  felt  as  though  a  hot  iron  had  been  drawn 
across  my  leg.  The  next  instant  another  ball  struck 
my  gun  stock,  one  splinter  hitting  rny  right  leg  and 
another  my  right  thumb.  Both  scars  show  yet,  and 
while  I  am  very  proud  of  them,  I  never  show  them  for 
fear  people  would  think  J  was  striking  for  the  rear,  not. 
knowing,  as  we  do,  that  the  'rebs'  had  a  cross  and  rear 
fire  on  us."  But  those  wounds  did.  not  take  Dick  out 
of  the  fight.  About  the  time  we  got  across  the  road  a 
ball  that  had  evidently  hit  the  ground  stuck  the  cord 
under  my  right  knee,  butt  end  first.  (I  thought  that 
foot  went  about  fifteen  feet  before  it  touched  the  ground 
again.)  I  reached  the  protection  of  the  bank,  where 
others  were  waiting  for  us,  all  right.  When  Col. 


Shunk  (8th  I  ml. )  came  along  waving  his  sword  and 
shouting,  "Come  on,  83rd!"  finding  it  impossible  to 
use  my  leg,  Lieut.  Fyffe  took  charge  of  the  company. 
One  of  the  boys  helped  me  down  into  a  ravine  close  by 
and  I  made  my  way  back  to  camp  during  the  after 
noon.  The  rest  of  the  company  did  not  come  back  un 
til  after  dark.  Sergt.  Willis,  who  was  Color  Sergt.  at 
this  time,  was  wounded  so  he  had  to  give  up  the  flag. 
Lieut.  Fyffe  and  David  R.  Curtis  were  slightly  injured 
later  in  the  day.  The  sad  duty  of  collecting  and  bury 
ing  the  dead,  two  days  later,  was  performed  by  a  detail 
from  each  company. 

The  most  tragic  event  in  the  history  of  the  company 
up  to  this  time  was  the  wounding  of  Sergt.  Besse.  On 
the  ridge  in  the  rear  of  Company  A  a  battery  of  siege 
guns  was  planted,  which  fired  directly  over  us.  On 
the  evening  of  May  25th  the  company  cooks  had 
brought  us  our  supper  in  empty  ammunition  boxes. 
Several  of  us  were  seated  around  a  box  eating.  Besse 
was  seated  with  his  left  side  toward  the  battery.  I  was 
just  to  his  left  with  my  back  toward  the  battery.  As 
the  battery  opened  fire  I  arose,  turned  partly  around, 
and,  as  we  say  in  the  army,  "uncovered"  Besse.  The 
next  instant  as  Besse  stooped  over  and  reached  into  the 
"mess  box"  a  shell  from  the  gun  behind  us  burst  as  it 
left  the  gun  and  a  large  piece  struck  his  left  arm  above 
the  elbow,  cutting  it  almost  entirely  off'  and  cut  the 
right  hand  off  clean  and  it  dropped  into  the  box.  He 
arose  to  his  feet,  the  blood  streaming  from  his  wounded 
arms,  and  in  a  subdued  voice  said,  "Boys,  tie  my  arms 
before  I  bleed  to  death."  Then,  while  several  of  us 
were  doing  what  we  could  for  him,  he  added,  "I  guess 
this  ends  my  soldiering."  I  never  recall  that  scene — 
the  gloom  it  cast  over  the  company,  and  his  death, 
June  1st— without  asking,  why  was  I  so  providentially 
spared  and  the  life  of  that  noble  boy  demanded?  For  I 
realize  that  had  I  remained  sitting  where  I  was  a  mo 
ment  longer,  that  piece  of  shell  would  have  passed 
through  my  body,  and,  perhaps,  saved  Besse. 

May  28th,  while  three  or  four  of  the  boys  were  sitting 
on  the  edge  of  the  rifle  pit,  their  heads  showing  a  little 
above  the  bank  in  front,  a  rebel  bullet  struck 
Abram  Myers  in  the  chin  and  passed  through  his  neck. 
He  never  spoke.  Dickerman  helped  carry  him  to  the 
surgeon's  tent,  down  the  ravine,  and  saw  him  breathe 
his  last. 

The  tedium  of  the  siege  that  followed  was  broken  by 
many  incidents,  thrilling  and  strange.  The  mutual 
truce,  as  soon  as  the  shades  of  night  approached ;  the 
familiar  intercourse  between  the  pickets ;  the  courtesy 
shown  us  as  our  trenches  approached  their  works,  are 
remarkable  occurrences.  I  will  only  illustrate  by  one 
incident.  I  was  sent  out  in  charge  of  the  "working 
party"  to  extend  our  trenches.  We  always  began  the 
trenches  in  the  night.  The  point  to  which  I  was  di 
rected  to  extend  the  trench  was  beyond  the  rebel  picket 
line  of  the  night  before.  We  followed  our  pickets  to 
the  rebel  pickets,  then  distributed  the  working  party 
with  their  picks  and  shovels  up  to  that  point,  and 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN   VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


85 


were  about  to  go  still  farther  when  they  informed  us 
we  were  trespassing  on  their  ground.  "Oh,  well,"  I 
said,  "we  are  only  going  so  far"  — indicating  a  certain 
point.  After  a  little  parley  the  rebel  officer  of  the 
guard  was  sent  for.  When  he  came  (our  boys  were 
making  the  dirt  fly  in  the  meantime)  and  remonstrated 
against  our  trespassing,  I  told  him  we  were  ordered 
there  to  dig  that  trench  and  proposed  to  obey  orders,  as 
good  soldiers.  He  was  courteous  enough  to  give  way 
with  the  remark,  "I  s'pose  it  really  makes  no  differ 
ence,  you'll  soon  have  the  place,  airway. " 

Company  A  suffered  no  further  losses,  except  by  dis 
ease,  during  the  siege.  Then  came  the  surrender,  July 
4th,  and  our  inarch  to  Jackson,  the  siege,  and  its  second 
capture.  During  this  siege,  as  Company  A  was  occupy 
ing  a  certain  point  of  the  line  behind  a  hedge  as  sharp 
shooters  a  bullet  struck  one  of  the  boys  in  the  breast 
with  considerable  force.  Dropping  his  gun,  with  his 
arms  extended  and  uttering  a  loud  and  prolonged  "Oh  ! 
Oh  !  Oh  !",  he  came  rushing  down  the  line  and  dropped 
groaning  at  my  feet.  C 'lapping  his  hand  on  his  breast 
to  indicate  the  wound,  he  groaned,  "I'm  shot!  I'm 
shot!"  On  opening  his  clothes  we  found  nothing  but 
a  red  mark.  1  said,  "You're  not  hurt ;  look  there." 
Glancing  down  and  seeing  the  mark,  he  got  up  and 
went  for  his  gun,  swearing,  "I'll  pay  them  d— d  rebeis 
for  trying  to  scare  me  to  death  instead  of  shooting 
me."  His  remark  was  greeted  with  shouts  of  laughter. 
This  comedy  was  followed  by  a  tragedy.  Wm.  A. 
Pearce  was  severely  wounded  July  13th.  His  wound 
was  riot  considered  mortal,  but  the  extreme  heat  and 
the  jolting  over  the  rough  roads  proved  too  much,  and 
he  died  just  before  reaching  Vicksburg,  July  23rd. 

Our  next  experience  was  tearing  up  the  railroad  south 
of  Jackson.  Our  whole  brigade  had  a  hand  in  it,  a  cer 
tain  amount  being  assigned  to  each  regiment.  Dicker- 
man  says,  "The  8th  and  18th  Indiana  found  40  barrels 
of  rum.  This  rum  or  the  super-heated  railroad  irons 
made  them  queer  and  the  33rd  had  to  finish  the  job." 
The  inference  is  that  the  33rd  was  not  affected  by  such 
undue  influences. 

Soon  after  our  return  to  Vicksburg,  feeling  pretty  well 
worn  out,  I  applied  for  and  secured  a  twenty  days' 
"sick  leave"  and  went  home,  leaving  the  company  in 
charge  of  Lieut.  Fyffe.  During  my  absence  Capt. 
Norton,  still  feeling  the  effects  of  his  wound  of  May 
19th,  applied  for  and  received  a  discharge  from  the  ser 
vice,  dated  Aug.  5th,  '(53.  It  may  be  well  to  note  that 
while  the  retirement  of  Capt.  Norton  gave  opportunity 
for  the  promotion  of  Lieut.  Fyffe  and  myself  (which 
followed  in  due  time),  our  ranks  had  become  so  de 
pleted  by  death  and  discharges,  that  we  were  not  al 
lowed  a  2nd  Lieut.  I  also  note  there  were  but  few,  if 
any,  further  changes  in  our  list  of  non-commissioned 
officers  during  that  year. 

On  my  return  from  "sick  leave"  I  found  the  com 
mand  had  gone  down  the  river  and  were  in  camp  at 
Carrollton,  La.  In  our  campaign  "up  the  Teche", 
when  we  feasted  on  sweet  potatoes  and  fresh  beef,  I 


recall  an  instance  when  a  member  of  Company  A  dis 
tinguished  himself.  That  was  when  Dick  Spradling 
and  a  member  of  Company  C  (I  think)  were  captured 
while  "straggling".  When  we  camped  for  the  night 
Dick  was  missing,  and  as  he  did  not  show  up  at 
"taps",  some  uneasiness  was  felt  on  his  account,  as 
captures  of  stragglers  were  not  uncommon.  But  about 
midnight  Dick  and  his  companion  came  in  bringing 
their  captors,  four  or  five  in  number,  with  them.  The 
"captors"  were  sent  to  headquarters  under  guard,  and 
the  captured  33rd  boys  to  their  companies,  with  the  in 
junction  not  to  repeat  that  method  of  trying  to  put 
down  the  rebellion. 

I  am  indebted  to  comrade  J.  D.  King  for  another  in 
cident  of  that  campaign,  showing  the  ability  of  some 
of  the  members  of  Company  A  as  foragers.  I  of  course 
knew  nothing  of  this  at  the  time,  though  I  have  no 
doubt  I  had  chicken  for  breakfast  the  next  morning. 
He  says:  "One  night  while  in  camp  near  New  Iberia 
iSam  Smith,  myself  and  two  others  went  out  through  the 
guard  to  a  Frenchman's  plantation  about  two  miles 
from  camp.  As  we  were  helping  ourselves  to  chickens, 
sweet  potatoes,  etc.,  the  old  Frenchman  and  family 
came  out  on  the  porch  and  talked  and  gesticulated  in  a 
furious  manner.  We  could  not  exactly  understand 
their  French,  but  thought  they  were  trying  to  tell  us 
to  take  more,  which  we  proceeded  to  do.  The  result  of 
that  expedition  was  seventy-two  chickens,  a  sack  of 
sweet  potatoes  and  a  pail  of  honey,  tied  on  an  old  horse, 
which  we  led  into  camp." 

The  details  of  our  return  to  Algiers,  our  embarkation 
on  the  good  ship  "Clinton",  commanded  by  Capt. 
Baxter,  crossing  the  Gulf  to  Point  Isabel,  and  the 
stormy  night  following  the  Captain's  fruitless  attempts 
to  run  in  over  the  bar,  belong  to  the  regimental  history; 
but  one  incident  on  the  morning  following  that  rough 
weather  is  so  indelibly  impressed  upon  my  memory 
that  I  must  mention  it.  Quite  a  number  of  us  were  on 
the  upper  deck,  some  of  whom  were  still  quite  sick. 
Elisha  Burrows  was  leaning  over  the  rail  "casting  up". 
Sergt.  Pike  stepped  up  to  him,  asking,  "What's  the 
matter,  Lish— been  eating  something  that  don't  agree 
with  you?"  Then  as  "Lish"  made  another  effort  to 
"feed  the  fish",  added,  "Spit  it  out  if  you  don't  like 
it."  I  laughed  then  and  I  laugh  now  whenever  I 
think  of  Ed.  Pike. 

I  could  write  page*  of  our  march  up  St.  Joseph's  Is 
land  ;  the  "time"  I  had  in  charge  of  a  detail,  helping 
the  artillery  cross  Cedar  Bayou  on  a  floating  bridge  of 
small  boats  and  material  sent  ashore  from  the  ships  in 
the  offing;  and  of  the  siege  and  capture  of  Fort  Esper- 
anxa.  But  I  must  pass  over  all  this,  only  to  say  that 
Sergt.  Pike  shared  the  honor  with  Capt.  Lyon  of  Com 
pany  I  of  being  the  first  inside  the  fort.  Believing  the 
rebels  had  evacuated,  they  got  up  an  expedition  on  their 
own  hook,  to  investigate,  and  came  near  being  buried 
by  an  explosion  that  followed. 

The  closing  scenes  of  1803,  while  full  of  interest  and 
new  experiences,  such  as  Texas  "Northers",  sea  bath- 


86 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS'. 


ing  in  mild  weather,  short  rations,  and  occasional 
scouts,  I  pass  over  to  note  the  more  exciting  scenes  of 
the  new  year  attending  our  re-enlistment  as  veterans. 
By  referring  to  the  muster  roll  of  this  date,  I  note  the 
total  strength  of  the  company  present,  all  fit  for  duty — 
officers,  two;  enlisted  men,  thirty-nine;  absent,  nine 
teen  ;  total,  sixty.  Seven  were  on  detached  service, 
nine  absent  sick,  one  on  furlough,  two  absent  without 
leave.  I  do  not  claim  any  special  credit  for  the  fact 
that  of  those  present  (and  of  the  sixteen  noted  above  as 
on  detached  service  and  absent  sick )  who  had  served 
the  necessary  two  full  years,  all  but  four  re-enlisted  for 
three  years  more.  The  honor  of  securing  such  a  result 
belongs  largely  to  Lt.  Col.  Potter  and  Maj.  Elliott, 
while  the  credit  belongs  to  the  boys  themselves.  Lieut. 
Fyffe  and  1st  Sergt.  Pike  were  sent  home  on  recruiting 
service,  with  the  hope  of  so  filling  up  the  company  as 
to  entitle  it  to  a  2nd  Lieutenant,  when  Pike  would 
have  received  his  well-earned  promotion  ;  and  although 
about  twenty  noble  boys  were  added  to  our  company, 
which  largely  increased  its  efficiency,  the  requisite 
number  was  not  secured.  It  gave  opportunity,  how 
ever,  for  the  promotion  'of  Corporals  .Reynolds  and 
Whitney  to  Sergeants,  and  Luke  Dickerman  and  Prine 
Riggs  to  Corporals,  all  to  rank  as  such  from  January 
1st,  1864. 

After  our  return  from  "Veteran  furlough"  the  regi 
ment  was  sent  to  Brashear  City,  La.,  where  it  re 
mained  until  the  20th  of  July,  during  which  time  we 
had  quite  an  experience  with  the  small-pox.  I  remem 
ber  only  one  of  Company  A— George  Alderson — who 
suffered  severely. 

On  the  20th  of  July  Company  A  was  sent  to  Tiger- 
ville,  a  small  railroad  station  at  the  junction  of  Bayou 
Blue  with  Bayou  Black,  to  guard  the  railroad  and 
watch  Bayou  Black,  which  is  navigable  for  small  ves 
sels  to  this  point.  We  occupied  vacant  buildings  for 
quarters,  and  while  the  guard  duty  was  so  severe  that 
Company  D  was  sent  to  reinforce  us,  on  the  whole  we 
had  pretty  good  times.  I  say  "we",  for  I  was  still 
"one  of  the  boys" — taking  part  in  the  games  of  "town 
ball",  "stag  dances"  and  many  in -door  games.  An 
instance  of  Sergt.  Pike's  willingness  to  assume  respon 
sibility  and  "do  things"  for  the  good  of  the  boys  oc 
curred  here.  I  had  occasion  to  go  down  to  headquar 
ters  at  Terre  Bonne,  leaving  Pike  in  charge  of  the  com 
pany.  On  my  return  I  found  that  under  Pike's  direc 
tion  and  supervision  the  boys  had  torn  the  ceiling  from 
the  buildings  they  were  occupying  and  had  constructed 
for  themselves  bunks  and  tables,  which  added  not  a 
little  to  their  comfort.  I  reminded  Pike  that  he  had 
laid  himself  liable  to  arrest  for  destruction  of  property 
belonging  to  "loyal"  citizens,  but  as  no  complaints 
were  made,  no  arrest  followed. 

One  of  the  peculiar  services  we  were  called  upon  to 
perform  was  to  furnish  guards  for  the  neighboring 
planters,  who  said  they  needed  guards  to  keep  the  ne 
groes  (who  were  still  recognized  as  slaves  in  this  part 
of  the  state)  in  subjection.  What  they  really  wanted 


was  authority  to  punish  their  "hands"  if  the  "hands" 
failed  to  perform  their  allotted  tasks.  Under  existing 
rules  planters  or  overseers  were  not  allowed  to  punish 
severely  without  the  sanction  of  the  guard.  The  cus 
tom  at  first  was  to  change  the  guard  every  week,  or 
perhaps  oftener.  The  arrangement  was  not  satisfac 
tory,  especially  to  a  Mr.  Gibson.  He  had  taken  the 
"oath  of  allegiance"  (to  save  his  property)  ;  had  two 
sons  in  the  Confederate  service,  one  a  Brigadier  Gener 
al,  and  the  other  a  Colonel  on  his  brother's  staff.  The 
old  gentleman  treated  the  boys  nicely;  fed  them  at  his 
own  table,  etc.,  but  came  to  me  with  many  complaints 
— "the  niggers  would  not  work",  "the  guard  would 
not  authori/e  him  to  have  'em  whipped",  and  "the 
guard  was  changed  too  often".  So,  to  mollify  the  old 
gentleman,  Charles  E.  Huston  was  selected  as  perma 
nent  guard.  Let  it  be  understood  that  in  this  service 
no  one  was  sent  out  against  his  will.  This  was  during 
the  cotton  picking  and  sugar  making  season.  On  the 
whole,  the  members  of  Company  A  did  not  make  very 
satisfactory  "overseers" — from  the  planter's  standpoint. 

On  August  loth,  1804,  Corporal  Elisha  Burrows,  hav 
ing  passed  a  satisfactory  examination,  was  commis 
sioned  as  Lieutenant  in  the  58th  IT.  S.  C  I.  (IT.  S.  I  lift, 
colored).  Two  very  lamentable  accidents  happened 
here;  one  was  the  accidental  drowning  of  one  of  Com 
pany  D  in  the  bayou ;  the  other  was  the  accidental 
shooting  of  Harrison  Noble,  Jan.  2nd,  1805,  by  Henry 
McCann,  while  "fooling"  with  their  guns.  Both  were 
very  promising  young  men,  who  had  joined  the  com 
pany  at  Bloomington,  111.,  while  the  regiment  was  on 
veteran  furlough. 

The  winter  of  1804-05  passed  with  no  other  incidents 
of  special  moment  that  I  remember,  except  the  acces 
sion  to  the  company  of  the  following  recruits:  Charles 
Greening,  Alphonso  K.  Smith,  Henry  W.  Smith,  Hen 
ry  M.  Walker,  Jerome  Wolf,  Hans  Erickson  and  Wil 
liam  J.  Hester.  All  but  the  last  two  were  from  Meta- 
mora,  111.,  my  home.  H.  M.  Walker  was  my  brother- 
in-law,  the  others  acquaintances.  They  had  enlisted 
January  10th,  '05,  for  one  year,  and  had  chosen  Com 
pany  A  because  I  was  Captain.  February  2;5,  1805, 
Lieut.  Fyffe  was  sent  to  Thibodeaux,  La.,  division 
headquarters,  on  detached  service  as  Judge  Advocate. 

Then  came  the  railroad  disaster  of  March  2nd,  1805. 
As  we  loaded  our  effects  into  that  box  car,  and  our 
selves  into  and  on  top  of  it,  that  pleasant  spring  morn 
ing,  there  was  some  grumbling  about  the  gorgeous  ac 
commodations  "Uncle  Sam"  saw  fit  to  furnish  us;  still 
the  boys  were  in  good  spirits,  believing  we  were  to 
take  part  in  the  closing  campaign  of  the  war.  The 
make-up  of  the  train  brought  Company  A  near  the  en 
gine,  the  place  of  greatest  danger  in  case  of  accident. 
They  were  in  the  third  car;  the  first  was  an  empty,  the 
second  was  occupied  by  B  Company.  For  fear  of  repe 
tition  (as  the  whole  regiment  except  Company  H  was 
concerned  in  this  horrible  affair)  I  will  only  insert 
here  remarks  from  the  first  "muster  roll"  of  Company 
A  made  after  the  occurrence:  "March  2nd,  1805, 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


87 


started  at  8:80  a.  ID.  by  railroad  for  Algiers,  La.  ;  near 
Bon  tee  Station  met  with  serious  disaster  ;  train  thrown 
from  the  track  by  running  over  a  horse;  five  of  the 
company  killed;  twenty-one  wounded  seriously,  were 
sent  to  the  hospital ;  several  others  were  more  or  less  in 
jured^  lost  a  large  quantity  of  camp  and  garrison  equip 
age  and  ordinance  stores;  arrived  at  Algiers  about 
seven  in  the  evening;  crossed  the  river  at  New  Orleans 
and  camped  in  the  Anchor  Cotton  Press.  The  killed 
were:  1st  Sergt.  Spillnmn  P.  Willis,  Vet.  ;  Private 
Chas.  G.  Howell,  Vet.;  Private  Chas.  Greening,  Pri 
vate  H.  M.  Walker,  and  Private  Jerome  Wolf." 

A  peculiarly  distressing  feature  of  this  affair  to  me 
was  not  only  that  Company  A  had  lost  its  noble,  brave 
and  efficient  Orderly  Sergeant,  and  another  veteran  of 
three  and  a  half  years  of  faithful  service,  but  that  of  the 
five  new  men  from  my  home,  as  before  mentioned,  three 
of  them,  one  my  brother-in-law,  now  lay  dead.  Upon 
me  devolved  the  painful  duty  of  sending  the  unwel 
come  tidings  to  loved  ones  so  sadly  bereft.  Those  ser 
iously  injured  and  discharged  on  account  of  such  in 
juries  were  Sergt.  S.  W.  Durfiinger,  and  Privates  W. 
H.  Foster,  Harvey  D.  Garrett  and  David  Shaw. 

On  March  7th,  186-5,  we  marched  to  the  half-way 
house,  three  miles  from  the  city.  While  there  our 
genial,  fun-loving,  laughter-provoking  comrade,  C.  E. 
Loring,  who  had  been  discharged  for  disability  at 
Helena,  Ark.,  in  '62,  rejoined  us,  having  re-enlisted 
for  one  year.  When  marching  orders  were  received  a 
few  days  later  it  was  a  sadly  depleted  company  that 
took  its  accustomed  place  on  the  right  of  the  regiment, 
Sergt.  Charles  Tobey  taking  the  place  of  the  much 
lamented  Willis  as  1st  Sergeant.  There  can  perhaps  be 
no  more  opportune  time  or  place  than  now  and  just 
here  for  me  to  acknowledge  the  many  courtesies  and 
favors  shown  Co.  A  by  the  Field  and  Staff',  and  in 
fact,  the  whole  regiment,  from  this  time  on.  It  seemed 
that  our  comrades  all  felt  that  in  the  recent  disaster 
Company  A  had  suffered  so  severely  as  to  entitle  it  to 
favors  when  practicable. 

The  tragic  death  of  1st  Sergt.  Willis,  March  2nd,  was 
followed  by  the  promotion  of  Sergt.  Tobey  to  1st  Sergt.  ; 
Corporal  Newton  to  Sergt.,  and  Arents  Ross  to  Cor 
poral.  The  discharge  of  Sergt.  Durfiinger  July  7th  on 
account  of  injuries  received  in  the  railroad  disaster  al 
lowed  the  advancement  of  Corporal  Dickerman  to 
Sergt.  and  F.  B.  Augustus  to  Corporal.  The  filling  up 
of  the  company  by  transfers  from  other  regiments  at 
Meridian,  Miss.,  in  August  permitted  the  promotion  of 
Tobey  to  2nd  Lieutenant,  Sergt.  Reynolds  to  1st  Sergt., 
Corpl.  Phillips  to  5th  Sergt.,  and  F.  R.  King  to  Corpl. 
Sergt.  Dickerman  was  discharged  for  disability  Oct. 
3rd,  and  the  promotion  of  Corpl.  Riggs  to  Sergt.  and 
G.  W.  Simpson  to  Corporal  followed. 

In  writing  these  changes  I  am  aware  that  I  have 
done  an  injustice  to  some  whose  names  I  failed  to  men 
tion  in  an  earlier  part  of  this  sketch,  and,  did  time  and 
space  permit,  it  would  afford  me  much  satisfaction  to 


not  only  make  these  corrections,  but  to  record  many 
more  instances  of  the  patient  endurance,  the  faithful 
performance  of  duty,  and  the  heroic  deeds  of  those 
noble  boys  with  whom  I  was  so  closely  associated  in 
"The  Camp,  The  March,  The  Battle". 

In  closing  permit  me  to  acknowledge  the  valuable  as 
sistance  I  have  received  from  many  of  the  boys  in  the 
preparation  of  this  imperfect  work.  The  many  kindly 
letters  I  have  received  from  my  old  comrades  of  old 
amply  repay  me  for  all  the  time  and  labor  spent,  and 
more  than  ever  increase  my  desire  to  meet  them  all 
again  before  we  cry  "Here!"  to  the  mystic  roll  call 
and  cross  to  the  other  shore. 

COMPANY  "A"  RF.CORD  FROM  SEPT.  4,   1861,  TO 

DEC.  7,  1865. 

Company  A  was  organized  at  Bloomington,  111., 
Aug.  21,  1861,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  ser 
vice  September  4,  1861  ;  has  been  with  the  regiment 
since  its  organization,  except  while  on  scouting  expedi 
tions  ;  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Fredericktown, 
Mo.,  Oct.  21,  1861;  Cache  River,  Ark.,  July  7,  1862; 
several  skirmishes  in  Mississippi  in  August  and  Sep 
tember,  1862;  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson,  Miss.,  May  1, 
1863;  Champion's  Hill,  Miss.,  May  16th  ;  Black  River 
Bridge,  May  17th  ;  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Esperanza,  Tex.,  in 
November,  1863;  and  the  siege  and  capture  of  Forts 
Spanish  and  Blakely,  Ala.,  in  April,  1865. 

STATISTICS  OF  COMPANY  "A". 

Killed  in  battle  or  died  from  wounds  received,  or  by 
accidents,  15. 

Died  from  sickness,   19. 

Wounded  in  battle  or  by  accident,  32. 

Discharged  from  disability  (wounds  or  sickness),  32. 

Number  of  original  Company  roll,  officers  and  en 
listed  men,  95. 

Recruits  (not  transferred   from   other  regiments),  35. 

Transferred  from  72nd,  117th  and  124th  Illinois  at 
Meridian,  Miss.,  in  July,  1865,  to  serve  balance  of  term 
of  enlistment  or  until  33rd  was  mustered  out,  56. 

Transfers  to  other  branches  of  the  service,  3. 

Total  number  on  Company  rolls,  186. 

Number  in  Company  at  muster-out,  77. 

Officers  promoted  from  Company,  1. 

Enlisted  men  promoted  from  Company,  4. 

Deserters,  3. 

Enlisted  men  promoted  to  Company  officers,  3. 

Non-Veterans  mustered  out  Oct.  11,  1864,  69. 

Wagoner,  James  T.  Stafford. 

Special  mention  for  gallantry,  Edward  M.  Pike, 
Chauncey  A.  Chamberlain. 

Enlisted  men  discharged  December  6,  1865,  at  Camp 
Butler,  111. 

Officers  discharged  December  7,  1865,  at  Camp  But 
ler,  111. 

HARVEY  J.  BUTTON. 

Springfield,  Mo.,  Feb.  1,  1902. 


88 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ROSTER  OF  "A"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  4  September,  J86J.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  1865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  21  August,  1861.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 
Potter,  Leander  11 

Bloomington.  .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  toS  Sept.,  '62.... 
5  Sept.,  '62,  to  17  March,  '63  .. 
17  .March,  '63,  to  5  Aug.,  '63.  .  . 

Wounded  at  Battle  of  Cache  River,  Ark.,  7  July,  '62.     Promoted  Major. 
Resigned  for  disability. 
Resigned  for  disability  caused  by  severe  wound  received  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss.,  1<)  May.  '03. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  Captain. 
Acted  as  Quartermaster  of  the  regiment.    Promoted  Captain. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Promoted  Captain. 
Served  for  a  time  as  Adjutant.   Discharged  with  the  regiment.  Veteran. 

Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 
Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 
Wounded  22  A\ay,  '63.    Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Black  River,  Mo. 
Promoted  Sergeant  Major. 
Promoted  1st  Sergeant  1  April,  '62.   Voted  Medal  of  Honor  by  Congress 
for  gallantry  at  Cache  River.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term'of  service. 
Wounded  Cache  River,  Ark.,  7  July,  '62.    Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant. 

Promoted  Sergeant  26  Oct.,  '61.    Promoted  Sergt.  Major. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Sergeant  5  Sept.,  '62.   Died  from  wounds  received  at  Vicks 
burg,  Miss.,  26  May,  '63. 
Discharged  for  wounds  received  at  Drisdal's  Plantation,  Miss.,  4  Aug., 
'62,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Reeves  Station,  Mo. 
Served  on  Color  Guard.     Killed  near  Wilkinson's  Landing,  Miss. 
Promoted  Sergeant,  Color  Sergeant,  1st  Sergeant.    Wounded  22  May, 
'63.     Killed  in  R.  R.  wreck  near  Boutee  Station,  La.     Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  in  H.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment 
as  Corporal.     Veteran. 
Died  at  home  while  on  furlough.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  Regt.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  bv  transfer  in  ')')  Illinois.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  C.  1. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  caused  by  overwork  at  Champion's  Hill. 
Died  at  home  while  on  furlough. 
Deserted  at  Helena,  Ark.,  26  July,  '62. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Meridian.  Miss.     Veteran. 

Burnham,  J.  Howard  
Norton.  G.  Hvde 

Bloomington.  .. 
Hale  

Dutton,  Harvey  J.. 

Metamora     .... 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Hale  

5  Aug.,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62  
5  Sept.,  '62,  to  17  March,  '63  .. 
17  March,  '63,  to  5  Aug.,  '63  .  . 
S  Aug.,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

1ST    LlRUTENANT. 

Burnham,  J.  Howard 

Norton,  G.  Hvde 

Dutton,  Harvey  J.. 

Metamora  

Fyffe,  James  R  
2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Norton,  G.  Hyde 

Bloomington.  .. 
Hale 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62.... 
5  Sept.,  '62,  to  17  March.  '63  .. 
17  March,  '63,  to  5  Aug.,  '63.  .. 
2  Aug.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Dutton,  Harvey  J. 

Metamora 

Fyffe,  James  R  
Tobev,  Charles 

Bloomington.  .. 
Erie. 

SERGEANT. 
Baker,  William  C 

Scott  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  April,  '62  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Aug.,  '61.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  March,  '63.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  April,  '63  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Dec..  '61.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  June,  '63  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Oct.,  '62  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  March.  '62.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Aug.  '62  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  March,  '65... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  March,  '63.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Feb.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  (i  Dec.,  '65  
29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Wilson,  John  X  
Pike,  Edward  M 

Bloomington.  .. 
Bloomington.  .  . 

Fyffe,  James  R  

Bloomington.  .. 
Metamora  

Dutton,  Harvey  J. 

CORPORAL. 
Wilcox,  Charles  E 

Lake  Co  

McCuddv,  Isaac  N 

Clinton  

Besse,  Charles  U. 

Como  

Bovee,  Charles 

Rockville  

Gastman,  Francis  M 

Hudson  

Lewis,  Alvin  T  
Willis,  Spillman  F 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Richview  

Carpenter,  Daniel  D. 

Scott  

WAGONER. 
Stafford,  James  T 

Lyndon  

PRIVATE. 

Allyn,  Edward  
Augustus,  Franklin  B  

Armstrong.  Thomas  M... 
Armstrong,  Wilbur  O 

Clinton  
Bloomington.  .. 

Rockford  
Rockford  

Austin,  Montgomery 

Kewanee  . 

Alderson,  George  E  
Bailey,  Cvrus  A. 

Virden  
Carlinville  

29  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Jan.,  '64.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  June  '63  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Feb.,  '64.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  

Barrows,  Charles  A  
Beach,  Francis  A. 

Elgin  
Scott  

Birdsall,  Stephen  B 

Scott  

Bowman.  Hiram. 

Maroa  

Brook  field,  Albert  M  
Brown,  William  S. 

Dixon  
Scott  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Dec.,  '61  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  June  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Aug.,  '64  .  .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb.,  '62  
27  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Burrows,  Elisha  

Biggerstaff,  William  T  
Buskill,  Robert  A  
Bloom,  John 

Bloomington..  . 

Girard  
Marion  

Veteran. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  for  disability  in  Mo. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '(,?. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  wounds  received 
7  July,  '62,  at  Cache  River,  Ark. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Brown,  William  II. 

East  Joliet  

31  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Bigger,  David 

Maroa  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Oct.,  '62.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Catlin,  Franklin  H  

Rockford  

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"4"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


89 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 

Chamberlain,  C.  A  
Chamberlain,  Geo.  W  
Crocker,  Charles  M 

Lyndon  
Hopkins  
Rockford. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  March,  '63.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Aug.,  '64  ... 
21  Aug..  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Meridian,  Miss.    Veteran. 
Transferred  to  gunboat  service  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Wounded  22  May,  '(>3.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  of  service.   Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration   term  of  service.     Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Grand  Gulf,  Miss. 
Youngest  man  in  Company  at  organization.     Received  three  wounds 
22  May.  '63.     Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.     Wounded  2  March. 
'65.     Discharged  for  disability.     Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  1  17  Illinois. 
Died  of  wpunds  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  received  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  21 
May,  '63. 
Promoted  Corporal  5  Sept.,  '62;  Sergt.  18  March,  '63.    Discharged  for 
wounds  received  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.  Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  joined  Company.     Prisoner  of  war.     Transferred  from  72  Illi 
nois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  wounds  received  in  R.  R.  accident 
2  March,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois. 
Died  at  home  on  furlough  January  or  February,  '65.    Veteran. 
Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  wounds  received  in  R.  R.  accident 
near  Boutee  Station,  La.,  2  March,  '65. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  R.  R.  accident.     Died  at  Sullivan's  Creek,  Ala. 
Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Wounded   in   R.  R.  accident  2  March  '65.     Discharged   with   the   regi 
ment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  for  disability  in  Missouri. 
Discharged  for  disability  in  Arkansas. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Wounded   in   R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.     Promoted    Corporal.     M.  O. 
with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability.     Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois. 
Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La.    Veteran. 
Prisoner  of  war.    Never  joined  Co.    Transf'd  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.     Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  Jul>,  '65. 
Drowned  in  Clear  Lake,  near  Camp  Butler,  III. 
Served  bv  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal  17  Oct.,  '62. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.     Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Sick  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  at  M.  O.  of  the  regiment.    Transferred  from 
72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.     Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 
Second  enlistment  in  same  Company.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Promoted   Corporal.     Transferred  from  124  Illinois.     Discharged   for 
disability. 

Corwin,  Wilson  F.   . 

W  innebago  Co. 
Suffield,  Conn.. 
Scott.. 

Curtis,  David  R.. 

Conry,  Benjamin  P. 

Collins,  John. 

Chicago.. 

26  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Cossman,  Gerhard. 

11  Oct.,  '64.  to  11  Oct.,  '65  
29  Sept.,  '64,  to  28  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 
29  Sept.,  '64  to  28  Sept.,  '65..  .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Crossley,  Hiram. 

Edford.. 

Crossley,  William  
Daniels,  E.  J.  S. 

Edford  
Lvndon  

Davenport,  Isaiah  S  . 

Clinton  

DeBoice,  Wm.  H.  H 

Clinton. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Jan.,  '62  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  May,  '63  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Oct.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Nov.,  '61  
14  Aug.,  '62,  to  3  Aug.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  June,  '63.  .. 

11  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  July,  '65  
29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  . 

Demming,  George  A  
Dickerman,  Luke  

Dines,   Martin  
DeCoursey,  Robert. 

Lyndon  
Scott  

Clinton  

DeBoice,  Francis  M. 

Clinton. 

Durtlinger,  Sylvester  W. 

Dale 

Enlow,  John  A  

Bloomington. 

Errickson,  Hans... 

West  Joliet. 

31  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug..  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Finch,  George  D 

Wapella. 

Ferris,  Samuel. 

Kewanee.. 

Ferris,  Jerome 

Chicago  . 

1  Feb.,  '64,  to  

Forrester,  Frank 

Reed.. 

19  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Fordice,  G.  W.  P  
Farwell,  Selah  B.. 

Bloomington... 
Round  Grove.. 
Bloomington. 

23  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Feb.,  '63.  ... 
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Frink,  Oliver  H 

Foster,  William  H.. 

Bloomington... 
Harvard  .  .  . 

31  March,  '64,  to  14  July,  '65.  . 
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Fritzlan,  James  H. 

Funk,  Isaac  E  

Funk's  Grove.. 
Clinton. 

29  Oct.,  '62,  to  28  Oct.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to....  '65  

Garrett,  Louis..  . 

Garrett,  Harvey  D. 

Havana. 

18  March,  '64,  to  22  May,  '65.  . 

1  Jan.,  '64,  to  20  April,  '65  
10  Jan.,  '65,  to  2  March,  '65..  .  . 
3  March,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Garrett,  John  M  
Greening,  Charles  

Harvard  
Metamora  

Griffin,  Isaac  N.  . 

Shiloh 

Green,  John  M  
Hanger,  Charles. 

Chicago  
Marion.. 

Harris,  Ebenezer  D  

Monmouth  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  May,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  June,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Nov.,  '61.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  March,  '63.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

7  Feb.,  '65,  to  10  Nov.,  '65  
8  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Harris,  William  H 

Kish  Waukee  .  .. 
Clinton  
Lyndon  
Ma/on  

Kewanee  
Normal. 

Howe,  Jesse  H  
Hubbard,  Alexis  E  
Huston,  Charles  E  

Hendricks,  Daniel  
Hester,  William  J  ... 

Hicks,  Thomas  . 

Kewanee.. 

7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Hulsizer,  Augustus  

Kewanee.. 

27  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Howard,  Alonzo  V  

DeKalb  Co 

1  Oct.,  '64,  to  30  Sept.,  '65. 

Howell,  Charles  G.. 

Dry  Grove  
Chicago.. 

11  Oct.,  '61,  to  2  March,  '65..  .. 
27  Feb..  '64,  to  

Holderson,  Holder  J... 

Hock,  Philip  
Hooper,  Joseph  
Ivers,  Thomas  
Johnson,  Henry  E  
King,  John  D  

Chicago  
Chicago  
Chicago  
Bloomington.  .  . 
Morrison. 

12  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
10  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65..  .  . 
12  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65..  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Sept.,  '61..  .  . 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
16  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Jan.,  '64,  to  

19  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Feb.,  '63.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

King,  Francis  R  
Kavanaugh,  Laurence  
Killham,  James  

Killham,  David  
Loring,  Charles  E  
Langley,  David  P  

Lyndon  
Chicago  
Chicago  

Chicago  
Mt.  Pleasant  
Girard 

Loring,  Charles  E  
Lyle,  Morris  D. 

Lyndon  
Kewanee  
Kewanee  

27  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Feb.,  '64,  to  29  Aug.,  '65.  .  .  . 

Lester,  Champlin  

90 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 

"A"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continucd. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS, 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 

Lynch,  Timothy  
Massena,  Geary  

Chicago  
Chicago  

25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
5  Feb.,  '64,  te 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  joined  Co.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  joined  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  from  wounds  received  at  Drisdale's  Plantation  4  Aug.,  '62, 
at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  while  on  furlough  at  Golden,  N.  Y. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  2  March.  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Helena,  Ark. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.     M.  O. 
with  the  regiment  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Killed  accidentally  at  Tigerville,  La. 
M.  O.  for  disability.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by   expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois. 
Deserted  at  Batesville,  Ark.,  17  June,  '62. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  of  wounds  received  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July 
13,  '63 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Drummer. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March, 
'65.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Wounded  2  March,   '65.     Discharged   with   the 
regiment  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal  26  Dec.,  '61.    Sergeant.    Died  at  Cairo,  111.  Veteran. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Never  joined  the  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.      Promoted  Corporal,   Ser 
geant.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  1st  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Promoted  Corporal.     M.  O. 
with  regiment  as  SeVgeant.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Promoted  Hospital  Steward. 
Wounded   in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  joined  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred   from  117  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 
(See  "C"  Co.  for  service). 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  2  March,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.      M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Discharged   for   wounds   received  2  March,  '65,  in  R.  R.  wreck  near 
Boutee,  La.,  at  New  Orleans.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Deserted        Sept.,  1863. 

Myer,  Gustave  
Marshall,  Albert  O  . 

Chicago  
Mokena  

4  Oct.,  '64,  to  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
29  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Feb.,  '63.... 

2<)  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
2(>  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  Dec.,  '63  
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  28  May,  '63.... 
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  11  Feb.,  '62.... 
31  March,,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  ... 
16  March,  64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .  .  . 
15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Aug.,  '62  ... 
9  Nov.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Montgomery,  Charles  D.. 
Muntz,  William  E 

Wapella  

Reading  .. 

Murray,  Francis  M  

Rockford  

Myers,  Abraham 

Dale  

Morgan,  Charles  S 

Dale  

Mapel,  William  L 

Bloomington.  .. 
Bloomington.  .  . 
Kewanee  

McCann,  Henry  

McGilliardj  Robert 

Nye,  Marvin  J  '.  
Newton,  Davvson  

Bloomington.  .. 
Dale  

Noble,  Harrison  

Bloomington.  .. 

17  March,  '64,  to  2  Jan.,  '65  ... 
10  Oct.,  '64,  to  15  Sept.,  '65  ... 
10  Oct.,  '64,  to  9  Oct.,  '65  

19  Sept.,  '62,  to  6  Oct.,  '65.... 
7  April,  '63,  to  25  Sept.,  '65  .  .  . 
21  Aug.  '61  to 

Osborne,  Charles  .   . 

Oberheart,  Charles  . 

Chicago  

Oden,  Wesley 

Osborne,  Mitchel  M  
Pardee,  Oscar  S 

St.  Clair  Co  
Tamaroa  .  . 

Pearce,  William  A  
Pike,  Randolph  A 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Bloomington   .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  July,  '63.... 

19  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Oct.,  '61.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Oct.  '64  
11  Nov.,  '62,  to  12  NDV.,  '65  
9  Feb.,  '64,  to  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  19  Oct.,  '65  
7  Feb  '65  to  6  Dec  '65 

Peterson,  Asa  C 

Maroa  

Peverly,  Freeman  W  

Bloomington   .. 
Clinton  

Sterling  

Phillips,  Philip  H  
Power,  Matthew  H 

Pearce,  Truman  
Peterson,  Wilhelm  
Reynolds,  Rasselas  P 

Bloomington   .. 
Chicago  
Sterling  

Riggs,  Prine  .. 

Lockport  

Ross,  Walter  C. 

Marion  . 

Rinn.  Allen  W  . 

Kewanee  

Kewanee  . 

Rankin,  Harry  . 

Ross,  Francis  M  ..  . 

Bloomington   .. 

21  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Oct.,  '64,  to  18  Oct.,  '65  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Dec.,  '62  
26  Nov.,  '61,  to  10  Jan.,  '63..  .. 
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Aug  '64  to 

Ryan,  William  J  
Rudisser,  Fidel 

Chicago  
Chicago  .  . 

Reynolds,  Levi  W  . 

Waverly  
Griggsville  
Dry  Grove  

Chicago  
Chicago 

Rex,  Oliver  P  
Ross,  Arents. 

Rowan,  Thomas  M  
St.  Louis,  George  J  . 

Schlick,  Charles  
Schomers,  Matthias  ...    . 

Chicago  
Chicago  

19  Oct.,  '64,  to  18  Oct.,  '65  
19  Oct.,  '64,  to  18  Oct.,  '65  

16  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
22  March,  '64,  to  31  May,  '65.. 

10  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
10  June,  '65,  to  10  Nov.,  '65  .  .  . 
14  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 
11  Nov.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
31  March,  '64,  to  25  May,  '64.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  July,  '65...  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to 

Slocurn,  George  W 

Geneseo  .. 

Slocum,  William  
Sherman,  Samuel  . 

Kewanee  
Hudson  

Smith,  Alfonso  K  
Smith,  Henry  W. 

Metamora  

Smith,  Alexander  K  
Spradling,  James  

Bloomington  .. 
Clinton   

Strain,  John  . 

Scott  . 

Seybold.  Sgmuel  
Shaw,  David  

Sherman,  Stephen    . 

Charleston  
LeRoy 

Scott,  Alexander  E  
Scott,  Thomas  
Scranton,  Edwin  
Seybold,  Gilbert  W  

Simpson,  George  W  
Smith,  Samue'. 

Maquon  
Maquon  
Bloomington  ... 
Griggsville  

Shirley  
New  Market  
Clinton    . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  

Deserted  18  Dec.,  '62,  from  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Hospital. 
Transferred  to  gunboat  service  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Wounded   in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  wounds  received  at  Black  River  Bridge  17  May,  '63. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Discharged  for  wounds  received  at  Drisdale's  Plantation  4  Aug.,  '62,  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Hospital. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb.,  '64  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Sept.,  '62.  .  .  . 

Spradling,  John  W  

Spradling,  Richard  M  
Straight,  Johnson  W  

Clinton 

Fairbury  

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"A"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


91 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 
Shaw,  David  . 

Charleston  .   .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  July,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Aug.,  '65  

27  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Feb.,  '64,  to  11  Oct.,  '65  
9  Feb.,  '64,  to  11  Aug.,  '65  
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  Dec.,  '63,  to  27  Aug.,  '65.  ... 
23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
27  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  13  June,  '65  
28  July,  '62,  to  19  Oct.,  '65.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  April,  '63.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  April,  '62..  .. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
17  Jan.,  '65,  to  2  March,  '65  ... 
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
6  Feb.,  '65,  to  15  July,  '65  
31  Dec.,  '63,  to  31  May,  '65.  .  .  . 
18  Jan.,  '65,  to  2  March,  '65  ... 
22  Feb.,  '64,  to  29  Aug.,  '64.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  May,  '63.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability.    Wounded   in   R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65. 
Veteran. 

Promoted  Corporal  26  Oct.,  '61;  Color  Guard  22  May,  '63;  Sergeant;  1st 
Sergt.  3  March,  '65;  2nd  Lieutenant. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Never  joined  the  Co.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.     Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  before  joining  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.   O.   by   expiration   term  of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Alo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  R.  R.  accident.     Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted    Corporal    16  Oct.,   '62.    Promoted    Sergeant.     Discharged 
with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     Discharged  for  disability. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  R.  R.  accident.    Discharged  for  disability. 
Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
Discharged  for  disability  caused  by  wounds. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63. 
Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.     Promoted  Corporal.    M.  O. 
with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 

Tobey,  Charles  . 

Erie. 

Thrasher,  Elias  
Tunnicliffe,  Joseph  E  
Tommitt,  John  M  

Kewanee  
Kewanee  
Bureau  Co  

Galesburg   .   ... 

Thurman,   Isiac. 

Vale,  Morton  
Wismiller,  John  . 

Kewanee  
Atlanta  . 

Warren,  James 

Chicago  

Warren,  William  
Wilson,  John  V  

Chicago  
Mound  

Wheeler,  Joseph  

Waldron,  John  C  

Florence  

Weaver,  Stephen  P  
Weed,  William  G.  D. 

Lockport  
Scott  . 

Whited,  William  M  ..   .   . 

Hopkins  

Whitney,  Henry  A.   . 

New  Milford  

Wood,  John  1C  
Walker,  Henry  M  

Bloomington  .. 
Metamora  
Kewanee  
Kewanei  . 

Whiffen,  Thomas  U  
Walton,  Robert  . 

Wilson,  John  
Wo:f,  Jerome  
Youngman,  John  W  
Zartman,  Absalom  M  

Chicago  
Metamora  
Blooming  ton   .. 
Clinton  

Zuraf,  Constantine  

Morrison  

PICTURES  OF  OFFICERS  OF  "/f '  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  MOSES  I.  MORGAN. 
"B"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  NELSON  G.  GILL. 
"B"  COMPANY. 


,-- 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  EbWARD  T.  DURANT. 
"B"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


93 


"B»  COMPANY  SKETCH. 


Forty  years  of  passing  time  bring  many  changes. 
Forty  yours  ago  our  beloved  country  was  in  the  throes 
of  the  most  gigantic  struggle  the  world  has  ever  wit 
nessed—the  war  cloud  so  dark  and  dense  that  no  ray  of 
light  and  hope  could  be  seen.  Happy  homes  from 
Maine  to  California  were  broken  up ;  chairs  made  va 
cant  by  the  departure  of  loved  ones— alas  !  so  many  to 
ever  remain  so.  With  the  call  to  arms  came  the  re 
sponse  from  the  hest  of  our  land.  My  comrades,  the 
struggle  that  took  place  in  your  breast  and  mine  is  still 
fresh  in  our  memories  to-day.  The  parting  scenes  on 
leaving  home;  the  farewell  lo  aged  parents,  loving  wife 
and  children,  the  fond  embrace  of  brothers  and  sisters, 
caused  emotions  that  words  are  inadequate  to  describe. 

Forty  years  ago,  having  passed  through  this  terrible 
ordeal,  might  be  seen  a  squad  of  men  from  DuPage 
county ;  a  like  squad  from  Toulon,  Stark  county,  to 
join  the  remainder  of  the  number  at  New  Rutland, 
LaSalle  county,  to  form  company  B,  33rd  Illinois  In 
fantry.  Sparta's  band  furnished  no  more  loyal,  brave 
and  patriotic  men  than  were  found  in  that  company. 
We  met  as  perfect  strangers ;  we  became  comrades  on 
sight.  Ties  formed  by  enduring  hardships  and  priva 
tions  together,  breasting  the  deadly  missiles,  or  touch 
ing  elbows  in  the  advance  in  the  terrible  assault,  not 
only  made  us  comrades,  but  formed  a  band  binding  us 
more  closely,  more  lasting  and  stronger  than  is  possible 
to  be  formed  in  any  other  way.  What  I  say  in  regard 
to  Company  B  includes  the  whole  regiment.  Never 
was  an  order  given  that  was  not  cheerfully,  promptly 
and  bravely  obeyed.  The  kindly  sympathy  shown  to 
the  wounded  and  sick  both  in  the  hospitals  and  on  the 
battlefield  was  not  only  touching,  but  grand  to  behold. 

Our  dead  are  scattered  from  Iron  ton,  Mo.,  to  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  Only  a  small  remnant  remains  of  that  noble 
company  of  forty  years  ago.  And,  boys,  as  we  are  fast 
Hearing  life's  sunset  we  can  point  with  pride  to  the 
record  of  Company  B  and  the  33rd  Illinois,  and  after 
"taps"  sound  our  children  and  children's  children  will 
say,  "My  grandfather  or  my  great-grandfather  was  a 
member  of  Company  B,  33rd  Illinois  Infantry." 
WALTER  T.  HALL,  Sergeant  B  Co., 

Toulon,  111,  1901. 


The  body  of  men  that  came  from  DuPage  county 
were  under  the  leadership  of  Moses  I.  Morgan;  that 
from  Stark  county  was  under  C.  Judson  Gill,  and  that 
from  LaSalle  county  had  been  gotten  together  by  E. 
Aaron  Gove.  The  assembling  of  these  parts  was  by  a 
pre-arranged  agreement  of  their  leaders.  These  leaders 


had  been  attending  the  State  Normal  University  at 
Normal,  111.,  and  had  been  members  of  the  "Normal 
Rifles",  an  organization  of  "minute  men"  composed  of 
Normal  students.  When  the  order  came  to  Charles  E. 
Hovey,  President  of  the  University,  to  organize  a  regi 
ment  of  men  for  immediate  service,  Messrs.  Morgan, 
Gill  and  Gove  departed  from  school  to  their  homes,  to 
raise,  as  quickly  as  possible,  parts  of  a  company  to  as 
semble  at  some  place  to  be  named,  these  parts  to  be 
formed  into  one  company ;  its  officers,  commissioned 
and  non-commissioned,  to  be  elected  from  its  number 
after  the  assembly  had  been  accomplished.  After  the 
company  arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  near  Springfield,  111., 
quite  a  number  of  men  joined  it  from  other  counties 
in  the  state.  Later  011  when  the  regiment  was  sta 
tioned  in  Missouri  a  number  of  loyal  Missourians  joined 
the  company.  They  were  good  men,  all  of  them,  and 
made  good  soldiers.  They  fought  for  home  as  well  as 
principle,  and  when  in  the  far-off  Texas,  having  done 
their  part  manfully,  the  time  came  to  re-enlist  for  three- 
years  more,  every  one  of  them  then  with  the  company 
placed  their  names  on  the  "company  roll"  for  the  ex 
tended  service. 

At  the  organization  of  the  company,  August  20th, 
1801,  Moses  I.  Morgan  was  elected  Captain,  C.  Judson 
Gill  1st  Lieutenant,  E.  Aaron  Gove  2nd  Lieutenant, 
Nelson  G.  Gill  1st  Sergeant,  and  Frank  Morey,  Alfred 
Cambridge,  Sid  O.  Morgan,  and  Forester  S.  Lyon,  Duty 
Sergeants.  William  Martin,  James  M.  Barr,  Walter  T. 
Hall,  Albert  B.  Capron,  Edward  T.  Graves,  Charles 
McCotter,  Frank  D.  Green  and  Duncan  G.  Ingraham 
were  elected  Corporals.  Bradford  J.  Wakeman  and 
William  H.  Packer  were  detailed  as  "company"  musi 
cians.  These  official  positions  had  been  distributed 
among  the  three  parts  as  equally  in  proportion  to  the 
number  of  each  part  as  it  was  possible  to  do.  This 
division  as  then  established  was  adopted  as  a  rule  in 
future  promotions  in  the  company.  Frederick  M. 
Crandall,  Elmer  Washburn  and  Samuel  Tilden  were 
later  attached  to  the  company  to  give  them  a  standing 
on  the  "regimental  roll",  so  that  they  could  be  pro 
moted  to  official  positions,  which  was  done  at  the  or 
ganization  of  the  regiment.  Crandall  was  made  Adju 
tant.  He  was  amply  qualified  for  this  position  from 
his  previous  training  at  West  Point.  Washburn,  on  the 
31st  of  August,  1801,  became  Quartermaster  Sergeant— a 
difficult  position  to  properly  fill,  especially  in  a  new 
regiment  where  everything  was  to  be  learned.  His  du 
ties  were  well  performed.  The  appointment  was  a 
good  one.  Tilden  was  appointed,  on  Aug.  31st,  1801, 


94 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


Commissary  Sergeant.  He  did  his  duties  in  a  creditable 
manner.  The  feeding  of  a  thousand  men  each  day  is 
no  small  undertaking,  especially  when  everything  was 
in  such  an  unorganized  condition  as  it  was  at  this 
time.  He  was  equal  to  the  task  assigned  him. 

These  men  were  ever  proud  of  the  fact  that  they  had 
been  members  of  B  Company,  although  their  connec 
tion  with  it  was  of  short  duration.  The  company  was 
equally  proud  that  they  Had  furnished  such  capable 
men  to  the  official  staff  of  the  regiment.  On  the  pro 
motion  of  Adjutant  Crandall  to  a  higher  official  posi 
tion,  2nd  Lieutenant  E.  Aaron  Gove  was  promoted  to 
be  Adjutant.  This  vacancy  in  the  company  was  filled 
by  the  promotion  of  Orderly  Sergeant  Gill,  who  in  time 
became  the  Captain  of  the  company.  Long  before  the 
final  "muster-out"  of  the  company  the  positions  of  1st 
and  2nd  Lieutenant  were  filled  by  men  who  had  been 
promoted  from  the  ranks.  Captain  Morgan's  health 
failing  him,  he  resigned.  He  was  succeeded  by  1st 
Lieut.  C.  Judson  Gill,  who,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  resigned  ;  thus  by  Sept.  23rd,  1863,  none  of  the 
original  commissioned  officers  were  with  the  company. 
The  commissioned  officers  then  with  the  company  re 
mained  with  it  until  its  final  "muster-out"  in  18(5*"). 

In  1803,  on  the  organization  of  the  colored  regiments 
for  the  army,  Sergeants  Morey  and  Morgan  left  us  to 
become  Captains  in  that  branch  of  the  service.  They 
were  brave,  faithful  men  ;  they  well  deserved  the  honor 
thus  conferred  upon  them,  which,  by  merit,  they  had 
obtained.  They  became  efficient  officers,  as  the  promo 
tions  obtained  and  responsible  positions' held  by  them 
fully  attest.  On  the  14th  of  October,  1803,  William  J. 
McClintock  was  promoted  from  the  company  to  be 
Hospital  Steward  in  the  regular  army.  He  had  passed 
through  the  various  grades  in  the  Hospital  Department 
with  credit  and  this  just  honor  was  worthily  bestowed. 
As  a  nurse  he  had  been  careful  of  those  placed  in  his 
charge;  as  Assistant  Steward  he  had  shown  the  qualifi 
cations  that  later  obtained  for  him  his  promotion.  His 
orderly,  industrious  life  had  been  a  credit  to  the  com 
pany ;  his  departure  was  regretted  by  all.  Sergeant  Al 
fred  Cambridge  having  deserted  from  the  company, 
Sergeant  Lyon,  being  the  next  in  rank,  was  promoted 
to  Orderly  Sergeant,  in  which  position  he  was  a  cap 
able  officer.  He  was  loved  and  respected  by  all  the 
men;  his  death  in  Louisiana  on  Sept.  30th,  18(}4,  was  a 
sad  affair  for  the  company.  His  memory  is  cherished 
by  his  comrades.  His  virtues  were  many  ;  his  faults 
few.  He  was  a  true  friend  and  brave  soldier.  Corpor 
als  Martin  and  Hall  were  promoted,  for  soldierly  quali 
fications,  to  be  Sergeants.  Sergt.  Martin  died  at  Camp 
Butler,  111.,  while  waiting  for  his  discharge.  He  had 
served  beyond  his  promised  three  years  of  service.  He 
got  his  final  discharge  from  this  life  before  that  of 
"Uncle  Sam"  reached  him.  Probably  if  he  could  have 
been  discharged  from  the  army  sooner  he  would  have 
survived  his  physical  trouble.  Sergt.  Martin  was  much 
older  than  many  of  the  company.  His  sturdy  patriotic 
life  had  influence  for  good  over  the  younger  men.  He 


was  a  native  of  England,  but  a  thorough  American. 
The  home  ties  of  wife  and  children  were  too  strong  for 
Sergt.  Hall  to  withstand.  He  was  honorably  dis 
charged  Oct.  llth,  1864,  having  served  beyond  the  term 
of  his  enlistment. 

Corporal  Barr  was  discharged  for  disability  March 
23rd,  1803.  Barr  was  willing,  but  health  was  a  further 
bar  to  his  useful  service.  Corporals  Graves  and  Green 
died  in  the  early  part  of  the  service.  They,  like  many 
others  of  the  regiment,  fell  victims  to  the  privations  and 
unhealthful  surroundings  of  the  early  life  in  Missouri. 
Corporal  Capron,  the  exemplary  soldier,  the  first  Color 
Guard  from  B  Company,  was  discharged  for  promo 
tion,  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the  14th  Illinois  Cavalry. 
His  after  life  in  that  regiment  was  a  credit  to  himself 
and  B  Company.  Corporal  Ingraham  was  promoted  to 
be  Sergeant;  then,  on  Sept.  30th,  18(J3,  Sergt.  Major  of 
the  regiment.  This  promotion  was  obtained  by  soldier 
ly  qualities,  which  qualifications  remained  with  him  in 
his  new  position,  from  which  he  was  promoted  to  be 
Adjutant  of  the  regiment.  B  Company  thus  had  the 
honor  of  furnishing  three  Adjutants  for  the  regiment. 
In  fact,  the  only  Adjutants  the  regiment  ever  had  came 
from  B  Company.  Three  "Field  Officers"  from  one 
company  is  an  honor  to  be  proud  of.  No  other  com 
pany  furnished  but  one.  At  the  reorganization  of  the 
regiment  in  1864,  Bradford  J.  Wakeman  was  made  Fife 
Major  and  Luther  J.  Clark  liegimental  Bugler.  They 
retained  these  positions  with  credit  to  themselves  until 
the  final  discharge.  From  the  time  of  reorganization, 
Jan.  1st,  1804,  until  muster-out,  Theodore  F.  Coft'ey  as 
Fifer  and  John  Whitley  as  Drummer  served  the  com 
pany  in  the  places  mentioned. 

The  foregoing  will  show  that  the  commissioned  and 
warrant  officers  of  the  company  that  were  elected  and 
appointed  at  the  organization  of  the  company  were  effi 
cient  and  capable  men.  Among  the  early  appointed 
warrant  officers  was  Edward  T.  Durant,  who  arose  by 
successive  grades  to  be  1st  Lieutenant  of  the  company. 
He  was  an  honest,  capable  officer,  well  liked  by  the 
men.  He  commanded  the  company  during  some  of  its 
hardest  service  in  a  very  efficient  manner. 

The  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Orderly  Sergeant 
Lyon  was  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Sergt.  Edward 
P.  Hatch  to  that  position.  Hatch  was  one  of  the  early. 
Corporals  of  the  company,  but  had  been  on  detached 
service  since  the  company  was  at  Helena,  Ark.  He  had 
been  at  the  headquarters  of  Generals  Carr,  W.  T.  Sher 
man  and  Sheridan  ;  also  for  a  time  as  clerk  at  the  court 
of  Judge  Advocate  Scott  at  New  Orleans,  La.  While 
there  he  had  re-enlisted,  which  re-enlistment  bears  the 
date  of  Feb.  l()th,  1804.  His  long  absence  had  made 
him  almost  a  stranger  to  the  company.  The  duties  he 
now  assumed  were  almost  entirely  new  to  him,  but  by 
the  aid  kindly  rendered  to  him  by  the  Sergeants  of  the 
company  he  was  enabled  to  perform  them  in  an  exem 
plary  manner.  On  the  23rd  of  June,  1865,  while  at 
Meridian,  Miss.,  he  was  promoted  to  be  a  2nd  Lieuten 
ant  in  the  48th  U.  S.  C.  I.  The  war  being  closed  he 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


95 


never  mustered  into  this  position,  but  remained  in  the 
service  as  a  private  until  the  discharge  of  the  regiment. 

Second  Sergeant  ('has.  H.  Keys  would  have  followed 
Hatch  as  Orderly  Sergeant,  but  for  the  serious  wound 
he  received  April  S,  1865,  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  which 
caused  his  discharge  July  18,  1805— Keys,  the  incorrupti 
ble,  who  fought  single-handed  with  unloaded  rifle 
against  three  armed  and  desperate  deserters  from  the  18th 
N.  Y.  Cavalry.  Their  offers  of  $800  for  permission  to 
cross  the  bridge  which  Keys  was  guarding  was  scorned 
by  the  honest  soldier.  In  the  encounter  which  followed 
Keys  was  roughly  handled  ;  his  stockless  rifle  attested 
the  vigorous  defense.  The  bruised  assailants  (afterward 
captured  by  the  detachment  of  B  Company  stationed 
at  Bayou  Des  Alamond)  showed  the  effect  of  the  blows 
administered. 

Sergt.  'Newton  G.  B.  Brown  followed  Hatch  as  Or 
derly  Sergeant,  and  on  his  promotion  to  be  a  2nd  Lieu 
tenant  in  the  company,  Sergt.  Samuel  Cry  was  made 
Orderly  Sergeant.  Samuel  Cry,  by  his  inexhaustible 
fund  of  Irish  wit,  cheered  the  comrades  in  their  de 
spondency,  made  their  arduous  duties  easy  of  accom 
plishment.  Every  man  was  his  friend.  That  trem 
bling  under-lii)  and  laughing  black  eye  belied  the  stern 
ness  he  sometimes  assumed  toward  the  delinquent.  He 
allowed  no  one  to  shirk  duty.  If  punishment  was  ad 
ministered  to  the  delinquent  it  was  as  heavy  on  Cry  as 
on  the  culprit.  Cry,  the  inimitable,  Cry,  the  true,  will 
always  retain  an  affectionate  place  in  the  memories  of 
his  comrades.  When  Cry's  time  came  to  cross  the  "di 
vide"  the  poor  fellow  was  in  the  mountains  of  the  far 
west,  away  from  friends,  who  would  lovingly  have 
ministered  to  his  necessities  and  made  smooth  the 
pathway  to  the  "great  beyond". 

None  could  forget,  if  they  would,  the  peculiarities  of 
Corporal  Hibbard.  His  pets,  be  they  birds,  squirrels  or 
coons;  his  patient  efforts  with  the  flute  to  teach  his 
birds  to  sing;  his  sorrowful  face  as  he,  time  after  time, 
carried  those  pets  to  the  tomb,  are  as  vivid  in  memory 
as  though  they  occurred  but  yesterday.  His  coolness  in 
bittle,  his  dashing  bravery,  were  the  envy  of  all.  Cor 
poral  Ned  Ingraham,  my  bunk-mate,  a  sturdy,  honest 
fellow,  is  often  in  my  memory  ;  may  his  ashes  rest  in 
peace.  He  had  his  peculiarities,  but  they  were  of  the 
right  kind.  Sergeant  VV.  D.  Johnson  was  ever  ready 
for  duty,  or  to  make  for  you  some  trinket  to  send  to  the 
loved  ones  at  home.  He  always  seemed  happy,  what 
ever  the  surroundings  might  be.  Corporal  McCamp- 
bell,  the  company  barber,  tailor,  pastry  cook  and  all 
'round  good  fellow,  sang  away  trouble,  joked  the  des 
pondent  out  of  their  seeming  difficulties,  was  ever 
ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand.  Who  could  forget  him 
or  his  jokes?  One  of  them  comes  to  my. mind:  His 
calfskin  strop  had  become  dilapidated;  to  put  a  fine 
edge  on  his  razor  he  would  occasionally  use  my  well 
rounded  cheek,  claiming  that  it  was  the  best  substitute 
for  a  calf's  skin  obtainable.  Since  that  time  I  have  been 
puzzled  to  understand  just  what  he  meant.  Was  he 
comparing  my  soldierly  qualifications  to  that  of  a  calf? 


or  had  my  hairless  cheek  become  so  developed  by  asso 
ciation  with  veterans  that  it  was  equal  to  any  emer 
gency?  Jimmie,  for  his  soldierly  qualities,  represented 
B  Company  on  the  "Color  Guard"  until  promoted  to 
Sergeant.  In  this  position  he  remained  until  the  regi 
ment  was  discharged. 

Corporal  "Dad"  Rogers  was  fatherly  by  nature  as 
well  as  by  name— quiet,  unassuming,  ever  ready  for 
any  emergency.  To  him  "the  day  was  sufficient  for 
the  troubles  thereof".  His  admonitions  to  the  way 
ward  were  always  taken  in  the  spirit  in  which  they 
were  given.  His  was  no  dashing,  breezy  personality, 
but  his  friendship  was  sought  after  and  truly  valued 
when  obtained.  His  careful,  scholarly,  every-day  rec 
ords,  covering  the  entire  regimental  life,  have  been  of 
inestimable  value  in  the  writing  of  this  regimental 
record.  While  others  were  "fooling"  their  time  away, 
he  was  building  a  structure  the  value  of  which  he  little 
understood.  That  structure,  as  a  military  record  of  the 
inner  life  of  the  regiment,  is  a  monument  that  time 
only  can  efface. 

Corporal  Lucius  Rew,  having  successfully  passed  his 
military  examination  as  to  qualifications  for  official 
position,  was  promoted  to  be  1st  Lieutenant  in  G  Com 
pany,  where  he  served  with  credit  to  himself  and  the 
company.  Corporal  Martin  Stark — the  good,  soldierly 
fellow  that  he  was — always  answered  "here"  whenever 
duty  called.  That  duty  was  always  well  done.  Cor 
poral,  and  afterwards  Sergeant,  Chas.  E.  Shinn  was  a 
good  soldier,  always  faithful  to  his  trust,  generous  to  a 
fault.  His  own  wants  were  never  considered  if  a  com 
rade  was  in  distress.  To  him  the  future  was  a  seajed 
book,  the  contents  of  which  he  did  not  care  to  know. 
The  past  was  behind  him  and  he  did  not  fear  its  conse 
quences.  The  present  was  his  and  he  improved  it. 
Corporal  Wadleigh  was  a  cool,  brave  soldier.  He  could 
be  relied  upon  in  any  emergency  to  do  his  best.  No 
trust  in  him  was  ever  misplaced. 

Corporal  Heartt,  large  in  frame  and  good-hearted  by 
nature,  was  one  of  the  DuPage  county  contingent.  He 
was  in  at  the  commencement  and  staid  to  the  ending. 
George  never  borrowed  any  trouble  and  seldom  had  any 
of  his  own.  Corporals  Fred  Fisher  and  Fred  Block  also 
were  from  DuPage  county.  They  were  the  representa 
tives  of  the  Germans  of  B  Company.  Fisher  retired 
with  three  years'  service.  Block  continued  in  the  ser 
vice  and  was  promoted  to  Sergeant.  The  Germans  of 
B  Company  were  an  orderly,  well-behaved  body  of 
men.  Part  of  them  had  seen  service  in  the  Prussian 
army.  The  training  they  received  there  aided  in 
steadying  the  line  when  steadiness  was  the  quality 
most  desired.  Grothman,  the  splendid  soldier,  in  his 
place  near  the  right  of  the  company,  and  Holt/kampf, 
a  little  farther  down  the  line,  were  indeed  good,  true 
men.  Failing  health  caused  Grothman's  discharge,  but 
on  recovery  he  again  joined  the  boys  at  the  front ;  took 
his  old  place  just  as  it'  he  had  only  been  away  on  a  fur 
lough.  His  songs— one  of  them,  "The  Dutch  Companie 
is  the  best  Companie  that  ever  crossed  the  water  from 


96 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


the  Old  Countrie",  as  he  used  to  sing  it  with  his  strong 
bass  voice,  sometimes  aided  by  Holtzkampf  s  tenor — 
were  grand.  Ah  !  the  echo  of  those  German  songs 
rings  in  my  ears  to-day  with  a  pleasure  born  only  of 
appreciation. 

Sergeant  Chase,  the  Bishop,  was  the  only  practicing 
physician  in  the  company.  His  materia  medica  con 
sisted  of  "Ayer's  pills"  and  "cold  water  packs". 
Probably  for  the  company's  good,  the  patients  were 
limited  to  himself  and  Archie  Muire.  Poor  Archie!  he 
was  almost  ready  to  quit  the  service,  escorted  by  a 
burial  party,  when  "the  Bishop"  was  discharged  by 
expiration  of  term  of  service.  Chase  was  a  good  boy, 
even  if  he  did  practice  medicine. 

Justin  C.  Moore,  the  bass  drummer  of  the  regiment, 
so  much  resembled  a  woman  in  looks  and  actions  that 
the  name  "Jane",  given  to  him  in  the  early  service, 
staid  with  him  till  the  end.  "Jane"  was  a  good  fel 
low  ;  many  of  the  letters  to  home  folks  were  written  on 
the  head  of  his  drum.  "Jane"  could  give  pointers  on 
time  to  old  "Father  Time".  His  beats  were  perfect ; 
he  could  give  the  boys  the  step  because  he  knew  it  him 
self.  "Jane's"  frail  body  never  w,ould  have  lasted  the 
more  than  four  years  of  service  if  his  will  power  had  not 
greatly  predominated.  When  discharged  with  the  regi 
ment  he  was,  to  all  appearances,  as  physically  strong 
as  he  had  been  at  any  period  of  his  service.  Three 
weeks  after  reaching  home  we  followed  him  to  his  last 
resting  place.  He  completed  his  service,  but  his  life 
went  out  with  its  completion. 

Joe  Weed  held  the  last  Corporal's  warrant  issued  in 
the  company.  Although  young  in  years,  he  was  equal 
to  the  responsibility  placed  upon  him.  Charles  Mc- 
Cotter  was  one  of  the  early  corporals  of  the  company. 
He  was  a  large  man  physically,  but  he  seemed  a  very 
giant  when  carrying  the  "company"  flag.  At  the 
time  the  regiment  was  righting  by  detachments,  "com 
pany  flags"  seemed  to  be  appropriate.  B  Company 
was  given  one  by  the  "Ladies  of  DuPage  County".  It 
floated  over  Fort  Morgan,  B  Company's  earliest  effort 
at  entrenchment  building.  On  the  assembling  of  the 
companies  to  assume  operations  as  a  regiment,  this 
beautiful  flag  was  placed  into  the  keeping  of  Lieutenant 
Nelson  G.  Gill;  by  him  it  was  sent  north  to  be  cared 
for.  'It  never  again  was  unfurled  in  the  face  of  an 
armed  enemy.  After  the  war  was  over  it  graced  with 
its  presence  a  flagstaff'  on  a  school  building  in  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  in  which  Mrs.  Gill  was  conducting  a 
school.  The  hand  of  a  vandal  who  was  too  cowardly  to 
i'ace  the  flag  in  open  battle  set  fire  to  the  building. 
That  flag,  waving  in  its  majesty,  the  emblem  of  peace 
and  good  will,  aven  to  a  lately  rebellious  people,  was 
burned  with  the  building.  Its  liberated  stars  joined 
those  stars  above  which  so  long  have  looked  from  their 
place  in  the  blue  vault  of  heaven  upon  them.  The 
hand  of  the  misguided  man  destroyed  the  substance, 
but  the  spirit  of  the  principle  that  that  flag  represented 
lived  on.  Ages  after  that  hand  (and  others  that  had 
lately  been  raised  in  rebellion  against  it)  will  have 


crumbled  into  dust,  that  principle  will  be  the  guiding 
star  to  universal  liberty  throughout  the  world. 

B  Company  was  physically  a  strong  one,  usually  ex 
celling  the  other  companies  in  number  of  men  for  duty 
as  to  number  enrolled.  This  condition  was,  in  a  great 
measure,  brought  about  by  the  careful  training  given 
to  the  company  in  its  early  life  by  Orderly  Sergeant  N. 
G.  Gill.  He  had  "crossed  the  plains"  to  California 
with  the  "gold  seekers"  in  the  days  when  the  patient 
ox  was  the  motive  power  that  linked  together  the  far 
west  and  the  central  states  of  the  Republic.  The  les 
sons  learned  by  him  there  were  of  practical  value  to  the 
men  under  his  charge.  Their  healthy  condition,  at 
times  when  other  companies  were  suffering  from  dis 
eases  common  to  camp  life,  were  the  results  of  his 
teachings.  Too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  to  him 
for  this  work,  that  saved  the  usefulness  of  the  men,  and 
often  life  itself  to  the  individual  member.  This  care 
exercised  by  Gill  in  our  early  life  continued  through 
his  entire  stay  with  the  company.  As  a  Lieutenant, 
and  afterward  as  Captain  of  the  company,  he  exercised 
a  great  influence  over  the  men  for  their  good.  The 
men  appreciated  this  and  in  turn  respected  the  man 
and  honored  the  officer.  The  years  that  have  passed 
since  our  separation  have  only  intensified  that  love  by 
the  men  for  him.  At  a  meeting  of  the  National  En 
campment  of  the  "Grand  Army  of  the  Republic"  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  a  few  years  ago,  sixteen  of  B  Company 
were  present.  Capt.  Gill  was  with  them.  The  frater 
nal  feeling,  still  strong  among  them,  looked  for  a 
method  whereby  it  might  exemplify  itself.  It  took  the 
form  of  presenting  to  him  a  silver  headed  cane,  suit 
ably  engraved.  Each  of  the  sixteen  contributed  to 
ward  its  cost.  This  cane,  with  an  appropriate  address, 
was  presented  to  him  at  a  banquet  provided  by  the  boys 
for  his  entertainment. 

In  July,  1865,  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  the  company  was 
greatly  augmented  by  the  transfer  to  it  of  men  from 
the  117th,  l±2nd  and  l:Mth  Illinois,  whose  term  of  ser 
vice  had  not  expired  when  these  regiments  were  or 
dered  discharged.  They  were  sent  to  us  to  complete 
this  service.  They  were  good,  sturdy  young  fellows, 
and  had  seen  hard  service  in  their  respective  regiments. 
They  very  soon,  by  their  soldierly  conduct,  became  of 
us  in  deed  as  well  as  in  name.  We  liked  them  and  the 
liking  was  reciprocated,  and  in  the  subsequent  gather 
ings  of  the  regiment  they  are  greeted  as  heartily  as  if 
the  33rd  were  the  regiment  of  their  original  enlistment. 
An  appreciative  compliment  is  paid  by  these  men  to  us 
by  always  signing  themselves  as  members  of  the  "33rd 
Illinois  Infantry"  at  the  different  encampments  of  sol 
diers  of  the  Civil  War.  Very  many  of  these  men  went 
into  the  army  just  as  soon  as  they  were  old  enough  to 
be  accepted  as  soldiers,  thereby  showing  their  patriot 
ism,  for  which  .they  deserve  just  as  much  credit  as 
those  whose  age  permitted  them  to  enter  the  service  at 
an  earlier  date.  When  these  men  enlisted  the  war  cloud 
hung  darkly  over  the  land;  many  of  the  great  battles 
of  the  war  had  been  fought ;  the  disabled  by  sickness 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


97 


and  wounds  were  in  every  hamlet.  Many  of  them  had 
relatives  who  had  "worn  the  blue"  who  were  then 
sleeping  their  long  last  sleep  in  the  Southland,  or  they 
were  slowly  dying  in  that  dark  blot  on  Southern  his 
tory—the  "rebel  prison  pens".  They  could  see  and 
realize  the  war  was  no  holiday  affair.  To  brave  these 
known  dangers  required  more  will  power  than  it  did  in 
the  men  that  enlisted  in  18(>1 . 

This  addition  to  our  ranks  was  the  cause  of  several 
promotions.  From  Sept.  23rd,  1803,  until  Aug.  2nd, 
1865,  the  company,  owing  to  its  limited  number  of 
men,  had  had  no  2nd  Lieutenant.  The  company  now 
being  filled  to  the  maximum  number,  Orderly  Ser 
geant  N.  G.  B.  Brown  received  this  merited  position, 
his  commission  bearing  date  August  2nd,  18(55.  He  re 
mained  with  us  until  the  end  of  the  service.  This  in 
crease  in  our  number  brought  us  more  responsibilities 
in  the  way  of  severe  provost  duty  at  Vicksburg  and 
the  attendant  drudgery  that  was  there  heaped  upon  us. 
This  unseemly  duty  increased  our  casualty  list.  Veter 
ans  that  had  withstood  all  the  trying  conditions  of  the 
past  service  here  succumbed  to  the  inhumane  treatment 
of  the  Post  Commander.  He  seemed  to  be  trying  to 
make  life  miserable  for  our  young  comrades,  and  thus 
punish  the  older  members  of  the  regiment  as  well. 
This  was  done  against  the  earnest  protest  of  I.  H.  El 
liott,  Colonel  commanding  the  regiment.  This  protest 
was  met  with  insult  to  the  Colonel  and  increased  in 
dignities  placed  upon  the  men. 

In  one  respect  Company  B  has  a  remarkable  record. 
The  words  "killed  in  action"  were  never  written  oppo 
site  the  name  of  any  man  borne  on  its  rolls.  Several 
of  its  men  were  seriously  or  fatally  wounded,  but  none 
killed.  This  did  not  come  from  any  neglect  of  duty. 
B  Company  did  its  work  in  a  satisfactory  manner  in 
every  place  to  which  it  was  assigned.  In  only  one  in 
stance  was  B  Company  away  from  the  regiment  when 
the  battle  was  on.  For  conspicuous  gallantry  at  Black 
River  Bridge,  Miss,  (where  as  a  company  it  was  the 
first  inside  the  rebel  works,  taking  possession  of  several 
cannon,  turning  them  on  the  retreating  enemy  with 
good  effect),  the  company  by  "general  order"  was  as 
signed,  as  a  mark  of  honor,  to  guard  these  cannon  and 
did  not  participate  in  the  assault  of  the  22nd  of  May  at 
Vicksburg,  Miss.  Some  of  the  companies,  notably  I) 
and  E,  seemed  doomed  to  destruction  in  every  engage 
ment  in  which  they  took  part. 

For  some  unexplainable  reason  Fate  was  very  kind  to 
B  Company.  Her  guardian  wing  seems  to  still  hover 
over  us,  as  very  many  of  the  original  members  of  the 


company  are  still  on  this  side  of  the  "dark  river". 
The  comrades  have  been  a  credit  to  the  communities  in 
which  they  have  lived.  Honorable  positions  have  been 
held  by  them  and  the  trust  imposed  in  them  has  never 
been  misplaced.  They  have  served  in  Congress,  in  the 
Legislatures  of  several  states,  sat  on  the  judicial  bench, 
held  positions  of  honor  and  responsibility  in  the  regu 
lar  army  establishment.  In  the  medical  profession  they 
have  risen  to  eminence;  as  ministers  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ  they  are  worthy  of  Him  whom  they  preach  ; 
as  representative  agriculturists  they  have  been  men  of 
note;  as  citizens  of  the  Republic  they  have  borne  their 
part  faithfully  and  well.  The  patriotism  taught  by 
word  and  example  to  their  children  is  illustrated  by 
the  ready  response  to  the  call  of  our  country  for  soldiers 
in  the  Spanish -American  war.  On  sea  and  land  their 
valor  attested  the  spirit  that  was  in  them.  From  Cuba 
to  Luzon  they  followed  the  "flag  of  their  fathers"  to 
victory  in  many  a  well-fought  battle,  thus  assuring 
that  they,  like  their  sires,  will  be  worthy  citizens  of 
the  Republic,  willing  to  maintain  its  honor  even  to  the 
sacrifice  of  life,  if  need  be,  to  accomplish  the  end 
sought.  Duty  was  the  watchword  of  the  sire— duty  to 
the  Republic  now  is  and  ever  will  be  the  watchword  of 
the  children. 

At  the  organization  of  the  company  there  were  en 
rolled,  officers  and  enlisted  men,  one  hundred  and  one. 
It  received,  during  its  life  as  a  company,  thirty-three 
recruits.  It  received  by  transfer  from  other  regiments, 
fifty-one  men.  Total  enrollment,  one  hundred  and 
eighty-five  men.  Twenty-five  resigned  or  were  dis 
charged  for  disability;  fourteen  received  honorable  pro 
motion  from  the  company ;  four  were  transferred  to 
other  branches  of  the  service;  twenty-nine  were  dis 
charged  after  having  served  their  full  term  of  original 
enlistment;  ten  were  wounded  in  battle  or  by  accident; 
twenty-four  died  from  wounds  or  by  disease ;  two  were 
discharged  by  special  order ;  one  deserted  his  "colors 
and  company"  ;  he  was  a  high-spirited,  well-educated 
man ;  because  of  a  fancied  slight  in  company  promo 
tions,  he  became  a  wanderer  and  his  name  a  hiss  and 
a  by-word  of  shame  among  his  former  comrades.  His 
record  as  a  soldier,  up  to  the  time  of  his  desertion,  bad 
been  an  enviable  one.  No  efforts  were  made  to  appre 
hend  him.  His  after  life  is  an  honorable  one.  He  has 
been,  and  still  is,  a  resident  of  Illinois.  Several  of  the 
transfers  were  in  name  only  ;  they  never  joined  the  com 
pany,  and  no  record  appears  as  to  their  final  discharge. 

V.  G.  WAY. 

Dated  at  Proctor,  111.,  Jan.  1st,  1902. 


13 


98 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ROSTER  OF  "B"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  2  September,  J86J.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  20  August,  1 86 1.    Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  J865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 
Morgan,  Moses  I 

Naperville  
Toulon  

20  Aug..  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '63  
25  Jan.,  '63,  to  23  Sept.,  '63  
23  Sept.,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65.  .  .  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '63.... 
25  Jan..  '63,  to  23  Sept.,  '63..  .  . 
25  Sept.,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61.  to  6  Sept.,  '62.  .  . 
6  Sept.,  '62,  to  25  Jan.,  '63  
25  Jan.,  '63,  to  23  Sept.,  63.  .  .  . 
2  Aug.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Sept.,  '62  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  .  .  July,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to 

Resigned  for  disability. 
Resigned,  disability. 

Detailed  on  June  8th,  1865.  as  an  officer  in  Freedman's  Bureau.     Dis 
charged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 

Promoted  Captain. 
Promoted  Captain. 
Commanded  the  Company  from  8  June,  '65,  until  Co.  was  M.  O.     Dis 
charged  with  regiment.     Veteran. 

Promoted  Adjutant. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 

Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant. 

Promoted  Orderly  Sergeant;  Discharged  for  promotion  as  Captain  in 
92nd  U.  S.  C.  I. 
Deserted  March,  17,  '63,  at  Cairo,  111. 
Discharged  for  promotion  as  Captain  in  48th  V.  S.  C.  I. 
Promoted  1st  Sergeant;   Died  at  Lafourche  Crossing,  La.    Veteran. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    Promoted  Sergeant.     Died  at  Camp 
Butler,  111.,  while  waiting  to  be  discharged  with  non-veterans. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Sergeant.     Discharged  at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served   on  Color  Guard  8  months.    Discharged  for  promotion  as 
Lieutenant  in  14th  Illinois  Cavalry. 
Died  Victoria  Station,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Promoted  Sergeant,  Sergeant  Major. 

Promoted  Fife  Major.     Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  in  Mississippi. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  In  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  expiration  of  service. 
Died  at  Helena,  Ark. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Served   by   transfer   in  99   Illinois.     M.   O.   expiration   of    service  as 
Corporal. 
Promoted  Corporal;  Sergeant.     Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Vieksburg,  Miss.     Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  regiment.    Served  as  Wagon  Master.     Veteran 
Discharged  for  disability  at  McDugal  Hospital. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 

Gill,  C.  Judson 

Gill,  Nelson  G. 

Toulon  

IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Gill,  C.  Judson  

Toulon  
Toulon  

Gill,  Nelson  G 

Durant.  Edward  T.. 

Naperville  

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Gove,  E.  Aaron 

New  Rutland  

Gill,  Nelson  G. 

Toulon  

Durant,  Edward  T  

Naperville  

Brown,  Newton  G.  B  

Wyoming  
Toulon  

IST  SERGEANT. 
Gill,  Nelson  G. 

SERGEANT. 
Morey,  Frank  . 

New  Rutland  ... 

Cambridge,  Alfred  C 

Elgin  

Morgan,  Sid  O  

Naperville..   .   . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  March,  '64.. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Sept.,  '64.  .  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  March,  '63.. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  Feb.  12,  '63.  .  .  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Nov.,  '61.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Dec.,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  IS  Feb.,  '62.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  61,  to  30  Sept.,  '63  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '64  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Nov.,  '61  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  ..  July,  '63.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Oct.,  '62  
1  Oct.,  '64,  to  1  Oct.,  '65. 

Lyon,  Forester  S  .  .  . 

Downer'sGrove 

New  Rutland  .. 
Lisle  

CORPORAL. 
Martin,  William  .  .. 

Barr,  James  M. 

Hall,  Walter  T.. 

Toulon  

Capron,  Albert  B  

DuPage  Co  

Magnolia  
Lisle  

Graves,  Edward  T  
McCotter,  Charles... 

Green,  Frank  D  . 

Lisle  

Ingraham,  Duncan  G  
MUSICIANS. 

Wakeman,  Bradford  J  
Packer,  William  H  

DuPage  Co  

Cottage  Hill.... 
Princeville 

Downer'sGrove 
New  Rutland  ... 
Toulon  

PRIV  <TE. 

Austin,  Charles  G.,  Jr  
Aiken,  Relza  M  

Armstrong,  Jesse... 

Andrews,  Giles  
Andrews,  Charles  

York  
Downer'sGrove 
Cass 

Allison,  Andrew. 

Ankel,  Henry  

Albee,  Joseph  
Adams,  Joseph  H  
Ayers,  Nelson  
Allen,  William  
Ballou,  Morgan 

Marengo  

Marengo  
Chicago  
Abingdon  
Chicago  
Lisle  

1  Oct.,  '64,  to  1  Oct.,  '65  
31  May,  '64,  to  25  Sept.,  '65  ... 
16  Feb.,  '64.  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Apr.,  '62.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Feb.,  '65,  to  2<>  June,  '65..  .  . 
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

Block,  Ferdinand 

Lisle 

Biggs,  William  
Blodgett,  Scott  

Toulon  
Cass 

Bailey,  Charles  W  

New  Rutland.. 

Butler,  Calvin. 

Peoria 

Beatty,  James  M  

Hampton  R.  I.  .  . 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"B"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


99 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Brown,  Newton  G.  B  

Bvrne.  Edward 

Wyoming  
Chicago 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Aug.,  '65  
14  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Promoted  Corporal;  Sergeant:  wounded  2   March,  '65,  in  R.  R.  acci 
dent,  and  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  April,  '65.     Promoted  1st.  Scrgt.; 
2nd  Lieutenant. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O   with  regiment 

Clarke,  Luther  J  

Bloom  ingdale  .  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '(>5 

Promoted  Regt.  Bugler.     Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 

Cross,  Edward  R 

New  Rutland 

20  Aug  ,  '61,  to  23  March   '63 

Coffey,  Theodore  F  
Chatrield,  Alonzo  B  

Bloomington.  .  . 
Lisle  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Sept.,  '63 

Promoted  Musician.     Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  wounds  received  17  May,  '63,  at  Big  Black  River,  Miss 

Chatfield,  George  W 

Lisle  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to       May,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Cry,  Samuel. 

Naperville  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Promoted  Corporal;  Sergt.;  1st  Sergt.    M.  O.  with  regiment.   Veteran. 

Clifford,  Edward 

Cass  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Crandall,  Frederick  M 

Stark  Co  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Aug.,  '61 

Promoted  Adjutant  of  the  regiment  at  organization. 

Carson,  William  H  
Chase,  Edwin  D 

Hampton,  R.  1  .  . 
Peoria  

6  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
13  Aug.,  '62,  to  10  Aug.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  expiration  term  of  service  as  Sergt.  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Church,  Robert 

Hudson  

10  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Conoway,  Andrew 

Mound  City.... 

4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65. 

M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  124   Illinois, 

Corrigon,  Franklin  

Chicago  

16  Jan,  '64,  to 

July.  '65. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     Never  joined  regiment. 

Coats,  William 

Chicago  

1  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Oct.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.   O.   at  expiration  term  of 

Durant,  Edward  T  
Durant,  William  E 

Naperville  
Naperville  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec     '65 

service. 
Promoted  Corporal;  1st  Sergeant;  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  with  regiment.     Veteran. 

Penn  

20  Aug    '61    to  6  Dec    '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran.' 

Toulon  

20  Aug  ,  '61,  to  25  Feb.,  '63 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Dav,  Brice 

Cass  

20  Aug  ,  '61,  to  15  Sept     '62 

Died  at  Mound  City,  111. 

Degeare,  Andrew  C. 

Palatine,  Mo  — 

2  Dec.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Dvre,  Ottis 

Hudson  

10  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  regiment. 

Ellis   Harrison  W 

Penn  

20  Aug     '61,  to  6  Dec     '65 

Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 

Ellis    Levi  T 

Penn  

30  March   '65   to  6  Dec    '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Chicago  

9  March   '64  to  6  Dec    '65 

Fischer,  Fred  J 

Addison  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  of  service  as 

Toulon  

20  Aug     '61    to  11  Oct     '64 

Corporal. 
Served  in  99  Illinois  by  transfer.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 

Cass  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 

Fell   W'Uter  A 

Kewanee  

11  Feb     '64   to  14  Oct     '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Transferred   from   124 

Foxtox,  James. 

Palatine,  Mo..  .  . 

2  Dec.,  '61,  to  30  March,  '62 

Illinois  July,  '65. 
Died  at  Victoria  Station,  Mo. 

Frost   Frederick. 

Chicago  

14  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment. 

Good  Farm  

20  Feb  ,  '65,  to  29  April,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by  general  order. 

Toulon  

20  Aug     '61   to  16  Aug     '62 

Transferred  to  Regimental  Band. 

Grothman,  Fred. 

Addison  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Feb     '63 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Granke,  Char'es  
Godfrey    Hugh  Y. 

Addison  
Toulon  

2  Dec.,  '61,  to  
21  Feb    '65  to  6  Dec    '65 

Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Kewanee  

29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Gibbs,  Jacob  K  

Marion,  Mo  
Joliet  

29  March,  '64,  to  8  June,  '65  .  . 
4  Oct    '64   to  3  Oct     '65 

Wounded  in  R.  R.  accident  2  March,  '65.    Died  at  Meridian,  Miss. 
M.  O.  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Two  enlist 

Gros   Paul  E           

Joliet  

3  Oct.,  :64,  to  29  April,  '65. 

ments  in  same  Co. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Jefferson,  O     . 

20  Aug     '61    to  11  Oct     '64 

Served  bv  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

lle'irtt  George  B            .... 

Cass  

20  Aug     '61,  to  6  Dec.   '65 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 

liebburd,  Charles  H  
Harberger,  Jacob  

New  Rutland  
Addison 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '62. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged   with   the   regiment.    Wounded    at 
Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 
Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Hotchkiss   Murry  

Toulon  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Dec  ,  '61 

Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

llolt/kampf,  Fred  

Addison  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Naperville  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Hotchkiss,  Charles  C  
Hodges,  Sheldon        

Toulon  
Kewanee  

24  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
2  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Hall,  William  H  

Chicago  
Chicago  

7  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  May,  '64,  to  25  Sept.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 

Hatch    Edward  P. 

Lisle       

20  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

service. 
Clerk  at    General    Headquarters.    Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,   1st 

Holmes,  David  H           

Wataga  

2  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant,  48  1).  S.  C.  I.     Did  not  muster.    Re-en 
listed  10  Feb.,  '64,  at  New  Orleans.    Discharged  with  regiment  as 
private.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Hamilton,  John  M. 

Chicago  

4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65. 

M.  O.  by   expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 

Chicago  

10  Oct.,  '64,  to  9  Oct.,  '65. 

July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred   from   72   Illinois 

Ingraham,  Edward  H       ... 

Akron  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

July,  '65. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 

Johnson,  Wallace  D  
Johnson,  Charles  S  
Jacobson,  Laurence  

Jonderweine,  David  
Jones,  Francis  M 

Wheatland  
Toulon  
New  Rutland  — 

Jefferson 
County,  Mo. 

Marion,  Mo  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Feb.,  '63  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Oct.,  '65.  ... 

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  29  Oct.,  '63  
2  Dec.,  '61,  to  11  March,  '62.  .  . 

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,   for  disability.    Promoted  Corporal. 
Veteran. 

Died  at  Convalescent  Camp,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

100 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 

"B"  COMPANY  ROSTER -Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS, 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 

Kewanee  

11  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  from   wound   received  8  April,  '65,  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala. 
Promoted  Corporal.  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  regiment.     Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Transferred  to  Regimental  Band. 
Veteran.     Discharged  with  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois.     Never  joined  the  regiment. 
Never  reported  to  the  Co.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  for  promotion  to  H.  S.,  U.  S.  A. 
Served  on  Color  Guard.     Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged 
with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Pocahontas,  Ark. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Promoted  Regt.  Musician.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 
M.  O.  with  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  reported  to  the  Co.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  from  wounds  received  March  2,  in  R.  R.  ac 
cident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  reported  to  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Never  reported  to  the  Company.  Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal;  on   detached   service  at  M.  O.  of  regiment  in 
Freedman's  Bureau.     Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  regiment  as  teamster.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  regiment. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  G.    Veteran. 
Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    M.  O.  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  at  Cairo,  111. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Prisoner  of  war  since  Nov.  30,  '64.   Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Prisoner  of  war  since  Nov.  30,  '64.   Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  on  steamboat  "Tarascan"  between  Mobile  and  New  Orleans  of 
wounds  received  April  8,  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala. 

Kewanee.. 

Chicago  

10  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 

Koshner,  Charles  
Keys,  Charles  H.  

Kalb,  Ethelbert  
Kohel    Frederick          

Naperville  
Springfield  

Springfield  

Jefferson 
County,  Mo. 

Jefferson 
County,  Mo. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  July,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64... 
1  Jan.,  '62,  to  28  July,  '63  
1  Jan.,  '62,  to  9  Oct.,  '65. 

27  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

11  March,  '65.  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Aug.,  '62..  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Leisteco,  Albert  
Loud,  Silas  J.          

Proviso  

Galesburg 

6  Feb.,  '64,  to  

Lauburg,  Albert  W  
Mayo,  William  J.  R  
McClintock,  William  J  

Chicago  
Princeville  

8  Dec.,  '63,  to  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Sept.,  '61,  to  15  Oct.,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Feb.,  '63  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  May,  '62.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Feb.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  1')  Nov.,  '61..  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

12  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
8  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Dec.,  '63  to 

AlcCampbell,  James  B  

McQuoid,  Preston  
McKee,  Andrew.        

Tonica  
New  Rutland  

Morgan,  Henry  G  
Marvin,  Hector  A  

Naperville  
Lisle 

Muir,  Archibald  
Moore,  Justin  C  
McClelland,  John  . 

New  Rutland  
New  Rutland  
Hampton,  R.  1  .. 

Manning,  Fred  

McQueen,  William  W  

Galesburg 

Merriam,  Reily  C  

Chicago  

Nehring,  Adolph  
Owen,  James  

Marengo  

1  Oct.,  '64,  to  1  Oct.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  April,  '62.  .  . 

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Owen,  Joseph  F.         

Manchester, 
Minn  
Tonica  
Jefferson 
Co.,  Mo  
Jefferson 
Co.,  Mo  
Marion,  Mo. 

Porter,  Samuel  
Palmer,  Ferdinand  

Porter,   Zebulum  
Porter,  John  M 

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  1  Dec.,  '63 

2  Dec.,  '61,  to  14  March.  '65.  .  . 

29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
1  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
6  Feb.,  '64,  to 

Porter,  Archibald  T  

Pincott,  Daniel  W  
Parkinson,  Jacob  N  

St.  Gene- 
vieve,  Mo.. 
Avon  
Galesburg 

Potnow,  Savorro  w  
Radke,  William  
Robbins,  William  K.,  Jr.  .  . 

Chicago  
Dungal's  Grove 
Mineral  

5  Jan.,  '64,  to  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  ..  Oct.,  '63.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Oct.,  '61  .... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
10  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Robinson,  Martin  B  
Rogers.  Lucius  

Princeville  
Milton  

Ridge,  Roger        

Naperville  
Eastern  

Rav,  Wilford 

Richardson,  William  H  
Rule,  Thomas  W 

Bloomington..  . 
Kewanee.. 

30  Sept.,  '64,  to  10  Aug.,  '65.  .  . 
11  Feb.,  '64,  to  14  July,  '65  .... 
20  Sept.,  '61,  to  2  Dec.,  '64  .... 
2  Dec.,  '61,  to  7  Feb.,  '62  
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Rew,  Lucius  O. 

Carlinville  
Adison  
Chicago  
Chicago  
Downer'sGrove 
Wheatland  
Dungel's  Grove 
Dungel's  Grove 
Dungel's  Grove 
Toulon  

Renker,  Henry 

Renshawsen,  John  
Quinn,  Andrew  
Smart,  Wesley  

29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Oct.,  '63  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Oct.  '61  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Oct.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '62  
10  Jan.,  '64,  to  

Stark,  Martin  

Schmidt,  Edward  

Schwartz,  Louis. 

Schinner,  John  C..   . 

Shinn,  Charles  E 

Sipes,  Philip  
Sharpe,  Thomas  

New  Rutland  
New  Rutland  .  .. 
Minonk. 

Smilie,  Joseph  B. 

Shea,  Cornelius.          .... 

Chicago  

Swansen,  Neltz 

Galesburg 

8  Feb.,  '64,  to  

Stew  art,  Martin  L  . 

Jefferson 
Co.,  Mo  
Elmira  

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Jan.,  '65,  to  10  April,  '65.... 

Strowbridge,  Sanford  

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"U"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


101 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF    SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 

Stickney,  John  H 

Hudson  . 

10  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  May,  '64,  to  25  Sept.,  '65  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Dec.,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
11  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  April,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Promoted  Commissary  Sergeant  at  organization  of  regiment. 
Discharged  with  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  to  O.  M.  Sergeant  of  the  regiment  at  organization. 
M.  O.  with  regiment  as  Saddler.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  accidentally  at  Reeves'   Station,  Mo.     Discharged  with  the 
regiment  as  musician.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65,  near  Boutee  Station,  La.     Discharged  with  the 
regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability.     Wounded  at  Black  River  Bridge,  Miss.,  May 
17,  '63.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  reported  to  Company. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Shipley,  Isaac  C  

Kewanee  
Chicago  
Wyoming  
Cass  

Sacrider,  Joseph  
Thomas,  Lewis  
Turtelott,  James  M.. 

Turnbull,  Andrew  
Trevitt,  David  

Kewanee  
Chicago  

Tilden,  Samuel 

Alma.. 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Aug.,  '61..  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Oct.,  '61  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Jan.,  '63  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Aug.,  '61  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct..  '64  
29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 

29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .  .  . 
11  March,  64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  ... 
29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
12  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Sept.,  '61,  to  14  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 

16  Feb.,  '64,  to  
18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
22  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
27  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Upperman,  John 

Bloomington  .. 
Dungcl's  Grove 
New  Rutland  ... 
Bureau  Co  
New  Rutland  .  .. 

Utting,  William  

Vanvranken,  Charles.. 

Washburn,  Elmer  
Wolf,  John  

Wadleigh,  Charles  E  
Whitley,  John  

Wheatley,  William  
Way,  Virgil  G  

New  Rutland  ... 
Bloomington  .. 

Lisle  
New  Rutland  .  .. 

Weed,  Franklin  L  

Neponset  

Weed,  Joseph  E  
Wilson,  Dewitt  C  
Wilson,  William  S  
Wonders,  Joseph  

Neponset  
Kewanee  
Kewanee  
Kewanee  
Kewanee  
Bennington  — 

Altoona  
Altoona  
Kewanee  

Wilkins,  Joshua  
Wright,  James  W  

Whitman,  Isaac  A 

Whitman,  George  E  
Zumbrun.  John  H  

Zumbrun,  Cyrus  L  
Zang,  John 

Chicago  
Kewanee  

102 


PICTURES  OF  OFFICERS  OF  "C"   COMPANY 


CAPTAIN  HENRY  M.  KELLOGG. 
"C"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN   HOWARD  J.  LEWIS. 
'•C"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  GEORGE  H.  FIFER. 
"C"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  AMANDUS  L.  DUSH. 
"C"  COMPANY. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  GEORGE  W.  JONES. 
"C"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  CORNELIUS  DU  BOIS,  53rd  U.  S.  C,  I. 
"C"  COMPANY. 


104 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


"C"  COMPANY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BY  CAPTAIN  EDWARD  J.  LEWIS. 


Company  C  was  formed  mainly  by  the  efforts  of  Dr. 
Edward  R.  Roe  of  Bloomingion.  who  held  several 
meetings  at  different  villages  and  country  places  in 
McLean  county,  to  enroll  the  youths  who  sprang  to 
arms  at  the  President's  call  for  300,000  men.  No  special 
class  of  men  was  chosen.  Farmers'  boys,  with  mechan 
ics,  clerks,  students  and  others  from  the  villages,  made 
up  the  company,  but  some  preference  was  given  to  men 
of  some  education,  and  there  were  very  few  indeed  of 
the  original  members  who  could  not  at  least  read  and 
write.  A  few  had  belonged  to  companies  formed  for 
practice  in  the  rudiments  of  arms,  but  even  these  had 
learned  very  little.  Practically  almost  all  were  ignorant 
of  everything  relating  to  war. 

The  company  was  organized  August  15th,  1861,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  Phoenix  Hall  at  Bloomington.  Dr. 
Roe  was  unanimously  chosen  Captain ;  Daniel  B.  Rob 
inson,  a  Bloomington  merchant,  First  Lieutenant; 
Henry  M.  Kellogg,  a  young  school  teacher,  Second 
Lieutenant ;  George  H.  Fifer,  also  a  young  teacher, 
First  Sergeant;  and  James  M.  Fordice  Second  Sergeant. 

On  August  20th  the  company  went  to  Springfield, 
marched  out  to  Camp  Butler  and  went  into  camp  out 
side  of  the  enclosure  within  which  most  of  the  volun 
teers  were  gathered.  Its  ranks  were  practically  full, 
and  on  August  22nd  it  was  mustered  into  service  by 
Captain  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A.,  "for  three  years  unless 
sooner  discharged".  It  was  the  first  company  of  the 
regiment  to  reach  that  stage,  and  the  dates  of  its  or- 
gani/ation  and  muster  were  officially  adopted  as  those 
of  the  enlistment  and  muster  of  the  regiment. 

On  August  80th  the  regiment  was  organized  by  elect 
ing  C.  E.  Hovey  as  Colonel,  and  at  the  same  time  Cap 
tain  Roe  was  chosen  Major.  A  company  election  next 
day  declared  for  the  promotion  of  the  subordinate  offi 
cers  previously  chosen,  and  chose  Ira  J.  Bloom  field  as 
First  Sergeant.  The  official  muster-in  roll— not  made 
out  until  considerably  later— recognizes  the  officers  of 
the  company  as  thus  constituted  after  the  formation  of 
the  regiment  as  follows: 

Captain,  Daniel  B.  Robinson. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry  M.  Kellogg. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  H.  Fifer. 

First  Sergeant,  Ira  J.  Bloomfield. 

Sergeants,  Aniandus  L.  Bush,  John  S.  Taylor,  Na 
thaniel  C.  McClure  and  James  M.  Fordice. 

Corporals,  Sebastian  F.  Shoup,  Jonathan  Hyre,  John 
Leys,  Samuel  B.  Oswalt,  John  A.  Larimer,  William 
Trimmer,  William  M.  Jones  and  Jay  Taylor. 


William  C.  Rails  was  appointed  Drummer,  Joseph  L. 
Kitchen  Fifer,  and  Samuel  Sherman  Wagoner.  The 
company  now  numbered  101  men,  the  maximum 
number. 

September  19th  the  regiment  left  Camp  Butler  and 
proceeded  by  railroad  to  Illinoistown  (now  East  St. 
Louis),  and  next  day  to  Pilot  Knob,  Mo.,  86  miles  south 
of  St.  Louis,  and  on  Sept.  23rd  camped  at  Arcadia, 
where  the  fall  and  winter  were  passed.  Here  occurred, 
Oct.  4th,  the  first  death  in  the  company— that  of  Cor 
poral  William  M.  Jones,  of  typhoid  fever.  On  this 
same  day  two  of  our  men,  D.  McWilliams  and  L.  A. 
Moore,  went  out  hunting  and  were  missing  at  evening 
roll  call.  They  had  been  captured  by  a  squad  of  rebels, 
but  for  some  weeks  this  was  unknown.  Several  parties 
were  sent  out  on  the  5th  to  search  for  them,  one  of 
which  of  21  men  of  C  under  Lieut.  Fifer  was  very 
close  upon  their  track,  but  without  knowing  it.  At 
the  outer  picket  about  three  miles  out  this  party  was 
told  that  a  rebel  officer  named  Pratt  lived  near  by  and 
was  likely  to  visit  his  home  that  night  with  some  half 
dozen  men,  part  of  a  force  of  forty  or  so,  which  was 
said  to  harbor  at  some  distance.  This  appears  to  have 
been  nearly  a  correct  account  of  the  party  which  had 
actually  captured  our  boys  the  day  before,  but  the 
picket  did  not  know  that.  Fifer's  party  waited  until 
night,  and  then,  in  pitch  darkness  and  a  pouring  rain, 
started  for  Pratt's  house  with  a  guide,  who,  after 
floundering  through  the  woods  awhile,  professed  him 
self  utterly  unable  to  find  the  house  in  the  darkness. 
So  the  half  drowned  party  returned  to  camp.  (The 
writer,  then  a  private,  was  one  of  them. ) 

The  attempt  to  catch  Pratt  was  repeated  a  week  later 
and  the  house  was  searched,  but  he  was  not  found. 
Sundry  scouting  parties  also  went  out  at  various  times 
in  search  of  the  missing  men,  but  nothing  reliable  was 
known  of  them  until  November  10th,  when  Capt.  Rob 
inson  received  a  letter  from  McWilliams,  written  at  Ft. 
Scott,  Kan.,  Oct.  23rd.  Moore,  however,  was  the  first 
to  get  back  to  the  company,  which  he  did  on  December 
1st.  He  stated  that  they  were  captured  by  a  party  of 
six  rebels  in  an  orchard  not  far  from  our  pickets,  were 
carried  several  miles  to  the  main  party  of  forty  men, 
which  camped  that  night  on  Black  river,  and  thence 
marched  westward  for  some  days,  until  Moore  fell  sick 
and  was  left  at  a  house  near  Houston,  Mo.  After  re 
covering  he  escaped  to  Rolla,  Mo.,  which  was  then  in 
our  possession,  and  thence  returned  to  us  via  St.  Louis. 
McWilliams  got  hack  Dec.  31st.  He  said  that  he  was 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


105 


paroled  and.  released  near  Springfield,  Mo.,  but  was 
afterward  captured  by  another  party,  from  whom  he 
escaped  to  Kansas.  Moore  did  good  service  with  us 
from  his  return  until  Aug.  llth,  1802,  when  he  died  at 
Old  Toxvn  Landing,  Ark.,  of  a  congestive  chill.  A 
pun  on  his  name  had  been  a  standing  joke  in  the  com 
pany — to  say,  for  instance:  "A  dozen  boys  are  gone 
hunting,  McWilliams  and  Levin  Moore"  ('leven  more). 
It  was  rather  a  ghastly  coincidence  that  he  was  the 
eleventh  man  in  the  company  to  die,  and  that  he  died 
on  the  eleventh  of  the  month,  after  eleven  months'  ser 
vice.  McWilliams  went  home  on  sick  leave,  but  never 
rejoined  the  company,  and  in  due  time  was  reported  as 
a  deserter. 

As  one  incident  of  a  week  of  excitement  and  reports 
of  impending  attacks  on  us  at  the  time  our  bridge 
guards  on  the  railroad  were  attacked,  Co.  C  was  sent 
out  on  Oct.  19th  to  a  pass  in  the  hills  on  the  Frederick- 
town  road  some  four  miles  out,  where  we  remained  sev 
eral  hours  on  guard  against  a  force  alleged  to  be  coming 
from  that  quarter.  When  an  order  came  recalling  us  to 
camp,  it  appeared  that  Drummer  Rails,  who  had  by 
some  means  got  out  to  us  mounted  on  the  only  quad 
ruped  in  the  detail,  had  been  permitted  by  the  Captain 
to  go  out  as  a  lone  cavalry  scout,  and  had  not  returned. 
Sergt.  Bush  with  five  men  was  detailed  to  search  for 
him,  and  had  boldly  penetrated  "the  enemy's  country" 
for  two  miles  or  so  beyond  our  outpost,  when  we  (for  I 
was  one  of  the  detail)  were  overtaken  by  Rails  and  the 
object  of  our  expedition  accomplished.  He  had  climbed 
up  an  immense  hill  to  reconnoiter  the  country  and  oc 
cupied  some  hours  in  getting  back  to  the  road  with  his 
steed.  He  had  met  some  scouting  cavalry  men  who 
put  him  on  the  track  of  our  party.  Such  were  the  free 
and  easy  reconnoitering  tactics  of  our  apprenticeship  to 
soldiering.  While  on  this  expedition  the  company 
voted  for  J.  Wylie  Moore  to  be  Corporal,  vice  Jones, 
deceased,  and  he  was  appointed,  but  soon,  resigned  to 
take  the  post  of  Wagoner. 

At  the  battle  of  Fredericktown,  Mo.,  Oct.  21st,  in  the 
general  advance  which  swept  the  enemy  off  the  field,  a 
part  of  Co.  C,  with  the  Captain,  became  separated  from 
the  line  and  for  a  time  appeared  to  form  the  advance  of 
the  pursuit  on  the  main  road,  with  Col.  Carlin  (38th  Il 
linois),  Commander  of  the  Pilot  Knob  forces,  riding 
with  us.  An  ambush  was  rather  looked  for  at  each 
turn  of  the  road,  but  the  enemy  had  business  elsewhere 
and  we  rejoined  the  regiment  without  any  important 
incident. 

In  the  cantonment  of  our  first  winter  at  Arcadia, 
Mo.,  Co.  C,  with  A  and  D,  occupied  the  seminary  and 
an  adjacent  out-building  or  two.  Here  the  company 
received  in  December  the  gift  from  friends  in  McLean 
county  of  a  large  supply  of  blankets  and  quilts,  every 
man  getting  at  least  one  such  article  in  addition  to  his 
government  blanket;  also  a  feast  of  chicken  and  cakes 
for  the  whole  company— a  practical  home  kindness 
which  was  fully  appreciated. 

Sergt.   McClure  was  detailed  as  regimental  hospital 

14 


steward  Dec.  13th,  and  was  transferred  to  brigade  hos 
pital  on  the  consolidation  of  the  regimental  hospitals, 
rejoining  the  company  March  1st,  1862.  Dec.  21st, 
1861,  Col.  Hovey  issued  certificates  of  appointment  to 
the  non-commissioned  officers  of  the  company  as  fol 
lows:  First  Sergt.,  A.  L.  Bush;  Sergts.,  J.  M.  For- 
dice,  John  S.  Taylor,  N.  S.  McClure  and  George  W. 
Jones ;  Corporals,  S.  F.  Shoup,  James  Coffey,  J.  B. 
Lott,  John  Leys,  S.  E.  Loss,  J.  A.  Larimer,  Jay  Tay 
lor  and  Cornelius  DuBois.  Of  these  Sergts.  Fordice, 
Taylor  and  McClure  ranked  from  Aug.  22nd,  1861,  as  did 
also  Corporals  Shoup,  Leys,  Larimer  and  Jay  Taylor; 
1st  Sergt.  Bush  and  Sergt.  Jones  from  Dec.  7th,  1861, 
and  Corporals  Coffey,  Scott,  Loss  and  DuBois  from 
Jan.  1st,  1862.  1st  Sergt.  Bush  was  detailed  on  re 
cruiting  service  in  Illinois  Jan.  13th,  1862,  and  was  ab 
sent  thereon  until  April  10th,  1862,  Sergt.  Fordice  act 
ing  as  1st  Sergeant. 

On  Jan.  16th,  1862,  a  meeting  of  the  company  was 
called  and  presided  over  by  Col.  Hovey,  who  informed 
the  companj'  that  Capt.  Robinson  had  resigned,  the 
Colonel  suggesting  that  the  company  join  with  him  in 
recommending  appointments  to  fill  vacancies  thus  pro 
duced.  By  unanimous  vote  1st  Lieut.  Kellogg  was 
proposed  by  the  company  for  Captain,  and  by  a  major 
ity  vote  Private  Edward  J.  Lewis  for  1st  Lieutenant. 
The  Colonel  approved  these  nominations,  and  the  Gov 
ernor  commissioned  the  officers  accordingly  on  Feb. 
5th,  to  rank  from  Jan.  24th,  1862.  Capt.  Robinson  re 
turned  home  and  was  commissioned  Lieut.  Colonel  in 
the  62nd  Illinois,  which  position  he  resigned  June  27th, 
1863.  Lieut.  Fifer,  with  two  Corporals  and  13  privates 
of  Company  C,  guarded  a  bridge  on  the  Iron  Mountain 
railroad  from  Feb.  1st,  1862,  to  Feb.  27th. 

Feb.  20th,  1862,  occurred  the  shooting  match  for 
choice  of  weapons  among  the  various  patterns  furnished 
us  in  exchange  for  the  old  converted  flint  locks  which 
had  thus  far  served  us.  All  the  companies  participated 
except  A  and  K,  ten  men  from  each  company  having 
one  shot  each.  Company  C's  men  were  carefully  se 
lected  by  a  series  of  matches  among  ourselves,  and  were 
Corporal  Leys,  D.  C.  Jordan,  Ball,  Tucker,  Ritchey 
and  J.  W.  Fifer,  O.  L.  Taylor,  Leavitt,  Storrs  and  W. 
H.  Hankins.  The  victory  was  awarded  to  us,  and  was 
duly  celebrated  the  same  night  by  an  oyster  supper  to 
the  shooters.  "The  short  Dresden  rifle"  was  chosen, 
afterward  superseded  by  the  Enfield. 

March  1st,  1862,  the  company  marched  southward 
from  Arcadia  with  the  regiment,  with  three  commis 
sioned  officers  and  70  men  in  line.  13  enlisted  men 
were  left  at  Arcadia  sick  and  7  were  absent.  Deaths, 
discharges  and  enlistments  had  made  many  changes  in 
the  roll.  The  company's  aggregate  membership  had 
fallen  from  101  to  93  nominally,  practically  to  some 
thing  less.  Eight  men  had  died— Corporals  Wm.  M. 
Jones  and  S.  B.  Oswalt,  Privates  N.  Livernois,  D.  Irish, 
A.  J.  Boyd,  S.  J.  Fogle,  A.  W.  Wood,  and  W.  Turnipseed, 
all  charged  to  typhoid  fever.  Capt.  Robinson  and  five  en 
listed  men  had  been  discharged,  beginning  with  1st 


106 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


Sergt.  Ira  J.  Bloomh'eld,  Jan.  13th,  '62,  to  accept  cap 
taincy  of  a  company  which  from  about  Dec.  7th  he  had 
been  recruiting  in  McLean  county.  With  it  he  joined 
the  26th  Illinois  as  Company  K,  and  afterwards  became 
its  Colonel  and  a  Brevet  Brigadier  General.  Jan.  21st 
Ira  P.  FJdridge  was  discharged  to  accept  a  commission 
in  an  engineer  regiment  at  St.  Louis,  but  of  this  ap 
pointment  he  was  in  some  way  disappointed,  and  he 
re-enlisted  in  the  1st  Nebraska  regiment.  Company  A. 
Jan.  20th  S.  Sherman  and  Jan.  25th  William  Wood  and 
William  Basnett  were  discharged  for  disability.  Six  re 
cruits  had  enlisted— Oct.  26th,  Samuel  Coy  ;  Nov.  25th, 
Chas.  S.  Shinn,  David  C.  Jordan,  George  J.  Jordan ; 
Nov.  27th,  Charles  Cutting;  Nov.  28th,  Thomas  Gra 
ham.  The  two  Jordans  were  brothers— Missourians, 
and  David  had  been  impressed  into  the  rebel  army  and 
fought  against  us  at  Fredericktown.  Two  were  reported 
absent — Christ.  Peterson  and  S.  G.  Parker,  who  are  en 
titled  to  an  explanation  here  which  perhaps  only  I  can 
now  give.  They  had  leave  of  absence  to  recruit  com 
panies.  Peterson  went  to  Wisconsin,  and  whether  or 
not  he  succeeded  in  raising  his  company,  he  never  re 
turned  nor  reported  to  us  and  was  never  properly  dis 
charged,  becoming  technically  a  deserter,  although 
probably  not  justly  subject  to  that  stigma.  Parker 
eventually  raised  his  company  and  with  it  joined  the  63rd 
Illinois,  as  shown  by  the  State  Adjutant  General's  report. 
In  the  general  advance  which  now  began,  but  few 
incidents  special  to  the  company  call  for  notice. 
From  Greenville,  Mo.,  March  8th,  Lieut.  Fifer  with  20 
men  escorting  wagons  went  back  16  miles  to  Bailcyville 
and  thence  followed  the  regiment  to  Reeves'  Ferry,  ar 
riving  March  13th.  During  the  stay  at  the  latter  point 
the  company  in  a  body  visited  an  interesting  cave  near 
by  which  was  richly  adorned  with  stalactites  and  in 
part  was  only  traversable  in  a  small  canoe.  At  Reeves' 
Ferry  the  force  was  brigaded,  the  second  brigade  com 
prising  the  33rd  Illinois,  llth  Wisconsin  and  Manter's 
Battery.  Two  men  of  Company  C,  L.  W.  Hall  and  J. 
A.  Childers,  were  detached  April  14th  to  fill  the  ranks 
of  the  battery.  Capt.  Kellogg  here  sat  seven  days  on  a 
commission  trying  rebel  prisoners.  Two  recruits,  Wil 
liam  A.  Davis  and  Isaac  N.  Long,  joined  us  here  April 
10th.  At  Pittman's  Ferry,  Ark.,  Companies  I  and  C 
were  sent  in  advance  of  the  brigade  as  road  repairers 
April  2(>th,  and  performed  that  duty;  thence  to  Poca- 
hontas  20  miles,  here  rejoining  the  regiment  on  the  30th. 
Private  Warner  A.  Blue  died  in  hospital  at  Pittman's 
Ferry  April  30th.  May  1st  Lieut.  Lewis  was  detailed 
to  bring  up  from  Pittman's  Ferry  to  the  hospital  estab 
lished  at  Pocahontas  certain  sick  men  and  hospital 
stores.  The  train  on  leaving  Pittman's  comprised  two 
ambulance*,  two  wagons  and  sonic  thirty  men,  17  of 
them  sick,  of  whom  one  (McKee  of  Company  B)  died 
on  the  way,  and  the  others  were  left  at  Pocahontas  on 
May  3rd.  The  brigade,  which  had  marched  on  the  1st, 
was  followed  thence  some  fifty  miles  and  found  in  camp 
near  Bird's  Point,  Ark.  A  cavalry  escort  accompanied 
this  part  of  the  journey. 


May  20th  I  note  in  my  diary,  "All  of  our  company 
are  now  with  the  brigade— 88  in  all."  McWilliams, 
Parker  and  Peterson  had  been  dropped  from  the  roll ; 
Graham,  Ritchie  and  Sage  discharged  for  disability, 
and  Blue  had  died,  leaving  the  aggregate  88,  two  of 
whom  were  serving  in  the  battery.  The  loss  of  seven 
here  shown  from  the  aggregate  of  93  on  March  1st  had 
been  partly  balanced  by  the  two  recruits— Davis  and 
Long,  received  as  above  stated. 

A  stay  of  four  weeks  at  Batesville,  Ark.,  was  followed 
by  the  march  down  White  River  with  General  Curtis's 
army.  At  the  battle  of  Cache  Bayou,  July  7th,  Com 
pany  C  was  not  present,  not  being  a  part  of  the  detach 
ment  which  was  engaged.  The  company  (under  my 
command,  the  Captain  bein?  officer  of  the  day)  came 
up  later  and  toward  evening  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  an 
alleged  retreating  force  for  some  four  miles  from  the  bat 
tlefield  with  Companies  G  and  B  and  some  cavalry  and 
artillery.  During  this  service  Co.  C  was  deployed  as 
a  skirmish  line  and  pushed  into  a  dense  thicket  through 
which  the  road  ran,  the  center  file  keeping  the  road. 
Right  in  the  thickest  bushes  the  road  turned  a  complete 
right  angle  to  the  left  so  that  the  left  wing  came  out  in 
a  line  along  the  road  while  the  right  had  to  wheel 
through  a  complete  quarter  circle  to  get  into  position 
at  right  angles  to  the  road  beyond  the  turn.  The  boys 
struggling  through  the  blinding  thicket  were  much 
pu/zled  by  the  strange  orders  they  received,  but  the 
movement  was  accomplished  successfully  and  we  cap 
tured  a  rebel  straggler  as  a  slight  compensation  for  our 
pains. 

In  the  three  days'  march  from  Clarendon  to  Helena, 
in  which  the  wagons  got  on  another  road  and  we 
marched  without  provisions,  Capt.  Kellogg  was  with 
the  wagons,  and  with  them  also  was  Private  Sizemore, 
who  died  on  the  road  July  13th  and  was  buried  in  an 
orchard.  13  men  marched  into  Helena  with  the  two 
Lieutenants  ;  the  rest  had  fallen  out  exhausted.  On  a  lit 
tle  cotton  hunting  scout  from  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark., 
July  27th,  Company  C  captured  on  the  Mississippi 
side  a  party  of  six  men  who  claimed  to  be  recently  dis 
charged  from  the  rebel  army.  On  a  similar  expedition, 
Aug.  1st,  at  Wimbush's  Plantation,  Miss.,  Hays  of  our 
company  was  wounded  by  shots  tired  at  our  picket,  and 
was  afterward  discharged  in  consequence.  Aug.  4th, 
in  the  same  vicinity,  Company  A  was  attacked,  Cor 
poral  Lewis  killed,  and  several  men  wounded  and  cap 
tured.  Company  C  quickly  reinforced  A  and  took  part 
in  pursuing  the  assailants,  who  escaped,  however,  and 
sent  back  their  prisoners  paroled  a  few  hours  later. 

Sept.  23rd  Capt.  Kellogg  left  for  Illinois  on  a  detail 
of  recruiting  service  which  lasted  nearly  six  months. 
Oct.  oth  the  regiment  left  for  the  north  and  on  Oct.  14th 
camped  again  at  Ironton,  Mo.  Oct.  22nd,  the  company 
bring  Provost  Guard  at  Ironton,  a  part  of  it  raided  the 
village  of  Middlebrook  by  the  Marshal's  order,  searched 
the  place  for  whisky  and  found  nine  barrels  of  that  ar 
ticle  and  closed  up  the  drinking  shops.  Nov.  2nd, 
1862,  marched  out  once  more  from  Arcadia  on  a  cam- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


107 


paign,  2  officers  and  38  men  composing  our  force.  23 
men  were  left  behind  at  Ironton,  only  two  on  duty, 
the  rest  sick  ;  twenty  absentees  besides,  all  sick  but  two. 
Nov.  28th  the  company  went  back  on  our  track  from 
the  camp  on  Black  River  detailed  as  road  makers  and 
were  so  occupied  until  Dec.  8th.  On  the  loth  came  the 
memorable  flood  which  deluged  the  brigade  and  drove 
it  out  of  its  camp.  Company  C  was  not  much  dam 
aged  and  did  not  abandon  its  camp  grounds.  Our  road 
work,  however,  was  completely  destroyed.  Dec.  28th, 
while  in  camp  at  Van  Buren,  Mo.,  Lieut.  Fifer  went 
out  with  about  40  men  of  the  company  guarding  a  for 
aging  train.  Some  five  miles  out  the  guard  of  a  small 
forage  train  belonging  to  another  regiment  was  attacked 
and  captured  quite  near  to  C's  position  at  the  time  by 
a  considerable  force  (as  was  supposed),  but  C  was  not 
attacked. 

Dec.  31st,  1862,  the  company  was  in  the  regimental 
camp  at  Van  Buren,  Mo,,  on  Current  river.  The 
aggregate  membership  was  82,  three  having  been 
gained  since  May  31st,  1862  (recruits  R.  M.  Benson, 
John  S.  Moore  and  Josiah  L.  Brown),  and  nine  lost 
(died,  L.  A.  Moore  and  W.  H.  Sizemore;  discharged 
for  disability,  J.  M.  Hough,  .1.  W.  Cox,  Wm.  John,  W. 
A.  Davis,  C.  S.  Smith  ;  transfer  to  N.  C.  staff,  J.  L. 
Kitchen ;  deserted,  I.  N.  Long).  The  Captain  and 
fourteen  enlisted  men  were  abse'nt.  Twelve  of  the  latter 
were  sick  ;  these  twelve  were  Corporals  Loss  and  Taylor, 
Privates  Childers  and  Tucker,  left  at  Ironton,  Mo., 
Nov.  2nd  ;  N.  C.  McClure,  since  July  26th  ;  W.  L.  Horr, 
since  July  14th;  Isaac  Oswalt,  Sept.  29th;  H.  S.  Han- 
kins,  J.  W.  Davis.  Wm.  Trimmer,  Oct.  20th;  W.  J. 
Evans,  Sept.  1st  ;  J.  W.  Slown,  Oct.  31st,  in  hospitals 
north  or  at  home.  The  other  two  were  R.  Davis,  fur- 
loughed,  and  Ham  ill. 

Feb.  8,  '03,  the  army  began  its  return  march  from  West 
Plains  toward  Pilot  Knob.  Co.  C  was  on  the  rear  guard 
that  day,  following  the  trains  through  a  21-mile  march 
over  very  bad  roads ;  got  into  camp  long  after  dark  and 
sent  back  a  relief  party  for  exhausted  stragglers,  some 
of  whom  were  brought  in  by  ambulance  as  late  as  3  a. 
m.  Feb.  20th  the  march  and  campaign  ended  for  us  at 
Bellevue  Valley,  145  miles  from  West  Plains,  and  but  a 
short  distance  from  Pilot  Knob.  March  10th,  1863, 
began  the  march  to  Vicksburg,  and  reached  St.  Gene- 
vieve,  Mo.,  March  12th,  over  a  fine  road.  An  experi 
mental  march  of  a  mile  (between  mile  stones)  was 
made  by  the  regiment  inside  of  fifteen  minutes.  March 
16th  embarked  on  steamboat  "Illinois"  and  started 
down  the  Mississippi.  At  Memphis,  March  21st,  Capt. 
Kellogg  rejoined  the  company  from  his  six  months' 
absence.  March  27th  landed  at  Milliken's  Bend,  La. 
In  the  canal  digging  and  other  work  of  the  next  few 
weeks  we  had  our  share,  and  in  the  general  advance 
were  in  our  place  with  the  regiment.  Landing  at 
Bruinsburg  on  April  30th,  the  company  participated  in 
the  prompt  march  by  which  the  regiment  as  support  to 
the  skirmishers  secured  for  the  army  the  pass  up  the 
bluff  to  the  interior  country.  Some  of  our  men  were 


on  the  provision  detail  which  here  had  the  memorable 
experience  in  bringing  up  rations,  a  story  which  is 
graphically  told  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter 
written  by  L.  Norcross  of  Co.  C  to  his  mother : 

THE  BRUINSBURG  RATION  DETAIL. 
L.  NORCROSS'S  LETTER. 

"It  was  afternoon  when  we  disembarked  and  stacked 
arms  on  shore.  Men  were  detailed  to  draw  three  days' 
rations  to  be  put  in  the  haversacks  to  last  five  days. 
These  three  days'  rations  with  two  days'  rations  drawn 
afterwards  was  all  we  got  of  the  commissary  for  twenty 
days.  I  was  one  of  the  detailed.  While  getting  the 
hard  tack,  coffee  and  bacon  the  troops  started  off,  leav 
ing  us  to  bring  on  the  rations  as  best  we  could,  but  we 
knew  that  the  men  were  hungry,  and  worked  accord 
ingly.  Loading  ourselves  heavily  we  started  after 
them,  overtaking  them  in  about  three  miles  distance 
with  enough  to  last  them  a  day  or  so,  and  went  back 
after  the  rest  at  the  landing,  for  we  had  no  teams, 
not  even  an  ambulance.  Our  corps  was  rapidly  cross 
ing  and  immediately  marching  off  on  the  Port  Gib 
son  road  as  fast  as  they  disembarked.  Night  was  set 
ting  in  ;  our  regiment  was  far  ahead  in  advance  and 
with  every  prospect  for  a  long  night's  march  and  we 
must  contrive  some  way  to  get  provisions  ahead.  The 
adjoining  country  was  scoured  for  teams  and  every 
thing  from  a  wheelbarrow  to  a  mule  was  brought  in. 
Our  squad  was  lucky  in  getting  an  ox  team  with  a  big 
wagon  and  a  negro  driver.  Then  we  started  on  with 
our  slow  team  and  heavy  load.  Turning  out  of  the 
road  sometimes  to  let  a  body  of  troops  pass,  or  stopping 
to  get  a  better  yoke  of  oxen  if  we  could  find  them,  till 
after  midnight,  I  stopped  in  a  shed  by  the  roadside  and 
throwing  myself  on  some  fodder  instantly  fell  asleep 
with  my  accoutrements  on  and  gun  in  hand.  When  I 
awoke  it  was  nearly  sunrise.  Hastily  jumping  up  I 
started  on  and  found  my  comrades  a  couple  of  miles 
ahead  waiting  for  Foster's  Battery  to  pass.  They  were 
hurrying  up  their  Parrotts,  for  the  artillery  on  ahead 
showed  that  our  advance  had  met  the  enemy.  Our 
orders  were  to  stay  with  the  teams,  but  I  pushed  on  to 
where  some  of  the  troops  had  stopped  to  breakfast  and 
left  their  fires  burning  by  the  side  of  a  little  stream. 
Now  was  my  chance  to  get  my  breakfast.  I  had  in 
my  haversack  crackers  and  bacon  and  in  my  pocket  an 
old  letter  with  some  tea  which  you  had  sent  me.  I 
concluded  I  had  tea  enough  for  two  messes,  so  I  took 
half  of  it  and  soon  had  a  breakfast  and  last  night's 
supper  combined.  While  eating  I  was  joined  by  an 
other  soldier  from  some  other  regiment  who  had  been 
on  a  similar  detail  and  naturally  wanted  a  little  break 
fast  too.  He  would  have  given  a  big  price  for  the  rest 
of  the  tea,  but  I  knew  you  would  not  wish  me  to  be 
selfish,  and  as  I  had  none  to  sell,  I  gave  it  to  him. 
Our  team  now  came  up ;  we  went  on  and  in  a  short 
time  came  up  to  where  we  could  corrall  our  teams  out 
of  the  way  of  the  battle,  but  close  to  where  our  brigade 
was  fighting;  struck  out  and  found  our  regiment,  which 


108 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


had  just  come  in  from  skirmishing  and  was  starting 
for  another  part  of  the  field  ;  joined  our  company  and 
was  soon  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 

L.  NORCROSS." 

Company  C  was  represented  in  the  picket  detail 
which  was  thrown  out  when  our  advance  struck  the 
enemy  in  the  night  march,  and  which  lay  close  in 
front  of  the  rebel  pickets  until  daybreak.  Ours  was 
one  of  the  four  companies  which  went  out  soon  after 
sunrise  under  Maj.  Potter  to  discover  the  enemy's  posi 
tion  on  the  left  of  the  field.  When  the  rebel  artillery 
opened  on  this  force  we  took  position  in  a  bushy  ravine 
on  the  right,  except  a  few  men  of  C's  extreme  left, 
who  with  their  Lieutenant  (myself)  entered  another 
ravine  which  lay  close  by  on  the  left  leading  toward 
the  enemy's  position.  They  threw  two  or  three  shells 
in  pretty  close  to  us,  but  did  not  hit  us.  This  squad 
seems  to  have  been  overlooked  when  Major  Potter  with 
drew  his  force  from  this  part  of  the  field,  and  we  re 
ceived  no  notice;  but  when  General  Osterhaus  had 
driven  the  enemy  back  we  started  to  look  for  our  regi 
ment.  There  were  ten  men  with  me — Fordice  and 
John  M.  Evans  I  remember  as  two  of  them.  We  got  un 
der  fire  and  had  the  regiment  nearly  located  on  the  right 
of  the  field,  where  it  had  helped  to  open  the  battle  as 
well  as  on  the  left,  when  the  general  advance  swept  the 
enemy  back  and  we  went  on  with  the  stream.  The  ad 
vance  across  that  labyrinth  of  intersecting  ravines 
seemed  .strangely  confused — halves  of  regiments  separ 
ated  from  each  other,  fragments  of  companies  seeking 
their  regiments.  We  fell  in  with  half  of  the  llth  Wis 
consin,  our  old  comrades,  and  went  with  them  for 
some  time,  got  up  to  the  front  and  took  a  share  in  the 
firing  there  and  did  not  find  our  regiment  until  3  p. 
m.  or  so,  when  the  battle  was  over. 

Sergt.  Fordice  with  a  detail  went  to  Grand  Gulf 
for  provisions  on  May  6th  and  saw  the  famous  fortifica 
tions,  which  were  formidable  in  front  but  defenseless  in 
the  rear.  The  gunboats  did  not  harm  them  much. 
May  Kith  at  the  battle  of  Champion's  Hill,  after  being 
held  in  reserve  for  some  hours,  we  were  advancing, 
when  two  of  our  men,  Shores  and  Shiner,  fell 
wounded  by  what  seemed  to  be  an  accidental  shot  and 
died  before  night.  It  was  believed  that  a  gun  which 
had  been  left  leaning  against  a  tree  fell  down  and  was 
discharged  as  we  passed.  At  Black  River  Bridge  next 
day  Co.  C  was  one  of  the  four  companies  which  re 
mained  in  line  after  six  companies  had  gone  out  as 
skirmishers.  While  lying  in  line  in  the  woods  with 
the  artillery  of  both  sides  firing  over  us,  a  cannon  ball 
made  a  deep  scoop  in  the  ground  just  in  front  of  us  and 
crossed  our  line  so  low  as  to  wipe  its  mud  off'  on  Cor 
poral  Larimer,  quite  disabling  him  for  a  time  with  its 
paralyzing  touch. 

On  May  li)th  we  came  under  fire  of  the  Vicksburg 
works.  May  20th  Capt.  Kellogg  was  killed  in  making 
a  further  advance.  In  the  grand  assault  of  May  22nd 
Company  C  was  one  of  the  six  companies  which  joined 
in  the  charge.  We  marched  next  after  the  color  guard. 


After  the  first  check  a  part  of  the  company  followed 
the  lead  of  Col.  Shunk  of  the  8th  Indiana  to  the  left 
across  the  railroad  and  remained  until  dark  under 
the  wall  of  the  first  rebel  works  there.  W.  D.  Shoup 
and  D.  H.  Mitchell  were  killed  ;  W.  H.  Hankins  was 
mortally  wounded  and  died  at  Memphis  on  June  27th; 
J.  M.  Evans  (who  lost  an  arm),  J.  Hollandsworth,  B. 
Brigham  and  R.  M.  Benson  were  severely  wounded, 
and  Benson  and  Evans  were  discharged  on  account  of 
their  wounds;  the  two  Lieutenants,  Sergt.  J.  W.  Jones 
and  Privates  J.  H.  Elkin  and  J.  H.  Newton  were  re 
ported  as  slightly  wounded.  Coy  carried  a  tin  cup 
slung  on  his  haversack  that  was  bored  through  by  a 
bullet.  Capt.  Kellogg's  body  was  taken  by  Sergt.  Bush 
on  the  21st  to  Young's  Point  on  the  Mississippi  in  an 
effort  to  send  it  home  ;  but  this  being  found  impossible,  it 
was  buried  on  the  river  bank  there,  and  efforts  made 
some  months  later  to  find  the  grave  were  not  successful. 
He  is  one  of  many  victims  of  the  war  who  "sleep  in 
unknown  graves".  On  May  25th  under  the  flag  of  truce 
I  commanded  a  burial  detail  which  buried  six  men  of 
Co.  E,  two  of  C,  two  of  A,  one  of  I,  one  of  D  and  one 
of  G,  found  oh  the  field ;  total,  thirteen  of  the  83rd, 
and  several  of  unknown  regiments. 

On  June  1st  I  \vrote  home  a  careful  account  of  the 
regiment's  experiences  during  the  month  of  May— that 
is,  since  crossing  the  river— and  reported  19  killed  and 
102  wounded,  of  whom  ten  were  then  known  to  have 
died  in  hospital.  This  for  the  entire  regiment.  I  re 
ported  killed  in  the  assault,  12;  wounded,  64,  out  of  the 
six  companies  above  named.  I  give  these  figures  as  the 
result  of  a  careful  effort  made  at  the  time  to  ascertain 
the  actual  facts. 

May  31st  the  monthly  report  shows  two  officers  and 
•58  men  present  (15  of  these  sick)  and  nine  absent;  com 
pany's  aggregate,  69.  Five  absentees  were  with  the 
army  (Sergt.  Taylor,  Lanphier,  Maguire  and  McKee 
on  duty;  Horr  sick).  N.  C.  McClure  on  duty  at  St. 
Louis  hospital;  Corporal  F.  D.  Atkins  organizing  a 
colored  company ;  Corporal  Loss  sick  at  Ironton,  Mo., 
March  16th,  '63;  Tucker  still  on  old  sick  absence.  The 
large  loss  of  13  in  the  aggregate  since  Dec.  31st,  18(52, 
was  made  up  of  five  killed  in  action  (Capt.  Kellogg 
and  Privates  Shiner,  Shores,  Shoup  and  Mitchell,  all 
in  May,  1863),  and  eight  discharged  for  disability,  five 
of  them  previous  to  Dec.  31st,  '62,  but  not  known  until 
later.  Five  were  from  general  hospital  at  St.  Louis — 
Trimmer  Nov.  21st,  Oswalt  Nov.  24th,  J.  W.  Davis 
Nov.  25th,  H.  S.  Hankins  Dec.  18,  and  William  Har 
ness  Feb.  19,  '63;  W.  J.  Evans  Dec.  9th,  '62,  from  Mound 
City,  111.,  general  hospital.  He  was  crippled  by  a  cot 
ton  bale  falling  on  his  feet  in  one  of  our  cotton  expe 
ditions.  Hamill  Jan.  12th,  '63,  at  Van  Buren,  Mo., 
and  Hays.  Feb.  25th,  '63,  at  Bellevue  Valley,  Mo.,  for 
wounds  received  on  picket  in  Mississippi  Aug.  1st,  '62. 

Through  June  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  was  in  progress. 
June  13th  Tendick  was  struck  by  a  piece  of  shell  from 
our  own  artillery,  but  not  seriously  hurt,  and  L.  W. 
Hall  was  hit  by  a  rebel  bullet — seemingly  a  slight 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


109 


wound  which  he  laugher!  at,  but  it  sent  him  to  the  hos 
pital  for  some  days.  June  19th  Lieut.  Fifer  was  de 
tached  to  serve  as  aide  to  Gen.  Carr,  Division  Command 
er.  He  remained  on  staff  duty  until  his  death. 
About  June  2nd  O.  L.  Taylor,  out  with  a  special  detail 
permanent  foraging  party  beyond  our  lines,  was  cap 
tured  and  carried  off'  to  Richmond,  Va.,  where  he  was 
paroled  and  was  afterward  exchanged  and  rejoined  us 
Oct.  17th  at  Vermillionville,  La.  Lieut.  Lewis  was 
sent  out  with  a  detail  of  28  men  of  various  companies 
on  the  night  of  July  1st  to  relieve  a  picket,  but  instead 
was  ordered  to  join  a  force  of  four  regiments  under 
General  Lawler,  which  was  sent  some  miles  to  the  rear 
to  guard  against  an  apprehended  attack  and  remained 
out  until  July  4th,  when  we  were  notified  that  Vicks- 
b.urg  had  surrendered  and  came  in  late  that  night. 
Thus  T  missed  the  surrender,  but  marched  next  morn 
ing  with  the  available  force  of  Company  C  in  the  gen 
eral  advance  toward  Black  river  against  General  John 
ston. 

July  13,  1803,  Joseph  W.  Fifer  was  dangerously 
wounded  in  the  side  in  battle  in  front  of  the  rebel 
works  at  Jackson,  Miss.  Wrn.  J.  Bishop  was  shot 
through  the  head  ;  B.  P.  Levick  was  wounded  in  the 
arm.  Both  Fifer  and  Bishop  were  thought  to  be  fatal 
ly  injured,  but  both  lived  and  finally  recovered.  The 
company  carried  them,  on  the  18th  of  July,  a  mile  and 
a  half  to  the  corps  hospital.  Lieut.  Geo.  H.  Fifer,  a 
brother  of  Joseph,  being  on  Division  Staff,  obtained 
leave  of  General  Sherman  and  sent  Jonathan  B.  Lott, 
an  old  comrade,  on  a  special  trip  to  Vicksburg  to  bring 
some  ice  for  these  wounded  men.  The  best  possible 
care  was  given  them  in  the  hospital,  but  with  all  this 
special  attention  their  survival  was  considered  astonish 
ing,  especially  in  this  deadly  climate  where  even  a 
scratch  was  dangerous. 

We  got  back  to  Vicksburg  July  24th.  Not  until  after 
this  was  the  readjustment  due  to  Capt.  Kellogg's  death 
completed  by  the  muster  of  the  company  officers  into 
their  new  positions— E.  J.  Lewis  as  Captain,  G.  H. 
Fifer  1st  Lieutenant,  A.  L.  Bush  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Sergt.  Fordiee  was  made  1st  Sergt. ,  and  Corporal  Du- 
Bois  Sergt.— all  these  to  rank  from  July  2nd,  to  which 
date  the  muster  was  dated  back.  DuBois,  however, 
soon  received  an  appointment  in  a  colored  regiment 
and  left  us  Aug.  17th;  as  Atkins,  also  commissioned, 
whose  discharge  was  completed  about  this  time,  had 
previously  done.  Many  men  were  now  sent  north 
on  sick  leave.  On  July  29th  Lieut.  Bush,  Sergt.  Jones 
and  Privates  Fifer,  Bishop,  Levick  and  Elkin,  with  J. 
W.  Moore  as  nurse;  Coffey  and  Shinn  on  Aug.  8th  ;  P. 
D.  Jones  in  an  almost  dying  condition  was  sent  off  on 
hospital  boat  Aug.  17th  and  died  Aug.  26th  at  Memphis. 

At  last,  Aug.  19th,  the  company  itself  left  for  New 
Orleans.  Brashear  City,  the  Teche  campaign  and  the 
voyage  to  Texas  followed.  Nov.  27th,  in  the  early 
operations  against  Ft.  Esperan/a,  Lieut.  Fifer,  serving 
on  brigade  staff',  was  shot  through  the  lungs,  and  after 
lingering  a  month  died  in  hospital  there  Dee.  26,  1863. 


On  Jan.  1st,  1864,  we  were  at  Indianola,  Tex.,  and 
the  subject  of  re-enlistment  was  occupying  our  atten 
tion.  I  was  not  especially  enthusiastic  over  this  matter 
of  veteranizing,  and  was  rather  slow  in  reaching  the 
conclusion  to  remain  in  the  service ;  hence  I  was  less 
active  than  most  officers  were  in  urging  the  men  to  re- 
enlist.  It  may  be  partly  owing  to  this  and  to  the  death 
of  Lieut.  Fifer  that  a  larger  proportion  of  the  men  of 
C  did  not  veteranize.  The  muster-in  of  the  re-enlist 
ment  men  took  place  Jan.  27th,  dated  back  to  January 
1st.  The  two  officers  remained  with  the  company,  and 
26  enlisted  men  were  mustered  as  veterans,  to  whom 
two  were  added  who  were  on  duty  separate  from  the 
company  when  re-enlisted  at  New  Orleans.  The  28 
names  are  as  follows:  Sergts.  G.  W.  Jones,  John  Leys; 
Corporals  J.  B.  Lott,  J.  A.  Larimer ;  Musician  W.  C. 
Rails;  Wagoner  Josiah  McKee ;  Privates  W.  J.  Bishop, 
B.  Brigham,  John  Corbaly,  Samuel  Coy,  C.  W.  Cut 
ting,  J.  H.  Elkin,  J.  A.  Grier,  J.  N.  Hall,  L.  W. 
Hall,  J.  Hollandsworth,  F.  Hummell,  J.  Hyre,  I).  C. 
Jordan,  W.  P.  Lanphier,  David  S.  Leach,  B.  P.  Lev 
ick,  Wm.  McClure,  M.  McNulty,  S.  M.  Shaw,  J.  M. 
Slown,  Otis  L.  Taylor,  John  Tendick.  Thirteen  men 
who  declined  to  re-enlist  were  transferred  to  the  99th 
Illinois,  dating  Jan.  26,  '64.  These  were  Sergt.  John 
S.  Taylor;  Corporals  S.  F.  Shoup,  James  Coffey,  Jay 
Taylor;  Privates  P.  Y.  Benson,  R.  W.  Clary,  V.  How- 
ell,  G.  J.  Jordan,  H.  C.  Loveland,  J.  W.  Moore,  L. 
Norcross,  W.  C.  Ogden,  Isaac  Stroud.  These  remained 
in  Texas.  The  veterans  embarked  immediately  and 
left  for  New  Orleans  on  the  way  home  for  veteran 
furlough. 

The  company  had  still  a  number  of  members  besides 
the  28  veterans.  Ed.  Cutting  had  just  joined  as  recruit. 
J.  Brown  enlisted  Dec.  4th,  '62  ;  for  some  technical  reason 
not  now  remembered,  he  was  excluded  from  the  list  of 
veterans,  although  willing  to  join  it;  and  13  others  who 
were  on  detached  duty  or  absent  sick  were  neither  en 
rolled  as  veterans  nor  transferred ;  but  remained  on  the 
roll  under  their  original  enlistment.  These  were  Sergt. 
DuBois,  serving  as  Lieutenant  with  colored  regiment; 
Jewell  and  Minter,  train  guards;  McNeil,  teamster, 
Leavitt,  clerk— all  with  Division  Q.  M.  Department; 
N.  S.  McClure,  long  on  hospital  duty  in  the  north; 
Newton,  recently  sent  on  recruiting  detail;  and  six  ab 
sent  sick— Sergt.  Fordice,  Ball,  R.  Davis,  Storrs,  Fifer 
and  Tucker,  all  in  the  north.  These  fifteen  and  the 
veterans,  28,  make  the  company's  enlisted  strength  43, 
with  two  officers;  aggregate,  4r> ;  the  number  shown  by 
monthly  return  of  Jan.  31st,  1864,  and  muster  roll  Feb. 
29th,  1864.  The  loss  since  the  aggregate  of  69  shown. on 
May  31st,  1863,  was  24.  Deaths  since  May  31st,  '03— 
W.  H.  Hunkins,  June  27th,  at  Memphis,  of  wound ;  P. 
D.  Jones,  Aug.  26th,  disease;  J.  H.  Childers,  Oct.  17th, 
at  New  Orleans,  disease;  C.  S.  Shinn,  Nov.  19th,  At 
lanta,  111.,  disease;  Lieut.  G.  H.  Fifer,  Dec.  20th, 
wound,  Fort  Esperanza,  Texas;  total,  five.  Dis 
charges—Corporal  F.  D.  Atkins,  May  19th,  near  Vicks 
burg,  to  receive  commission  ;  Corporal  S.  E.  Loss,  May 


110 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  ANT)  ROSTERS. 


31st,  Pilot  Knob,  Mo.,  disability;  W.  L.  Horr,  June 
loth,  near  Vicksburg,  disability;  First  Sergt.  A.  L. 
Bush,  July  2nd,  Vicksburg,  promotion  ;  John  M. 
Evans,  Aug.  12th,  St.  Louis,  wound ;  R.  M.  Benson, 
Oct.  18th,  St.  Louis,  wound;  John  Maguire,  Jan.  14th, 
'64,  New  Orleans,  disability  ;  John  S.  Moore,  Jan.  31st, 
'64,  New  Orleans,  disability;  total,  eight..  Gains — A. 
L.  Bush  mustered  as  Lieutenant  July  2nd,  '63,  Vicks 
burg ;  T.  Ed.  Cutting,  recruit,  joined  company  Jan. 
24th,  1864.  On  Feb.  29th,  '64,  four  Corporals— D.  S. 
Leach,  D.  C.  Jordan,  B.  P.  Levick  and  William  Me- 
Clure--were  chosen  by  election  and  were  appointed  to 
rank  from  March  1st,  1864. 

With  the  regiment  the  company  reached  Bloomington 
March  14th  and  received  a  month's  "veteran  furlough", 
and  in  the  middle  of  April  assembled  again  at  Camp 
Butler  near  Springfield.  Two  recruits,  Henry  H.  Hays 
and  James  Thompson,  joined  us  here.  Hays  was  our 
old  comiade  of  the  original  organization  ;  he  had  recov 
ered  from  the  wound  which  had  caused  his  discharge. 
Thompson's  proper  name  was  Stone,  by  which  name 
we  know  him  since  the  company's  discharge.  The 
gain  of  these  two  was  counterbalanced  on  our  rolls  by 
the  completion  of  DuBois's  formal  discharge,  and  the 
transfer  of  N.  C.  McClure  to  the  invalid  corps,  so  that 
our  aggregate  remained  45  when  we  returned  to  the  field. 

May  18th  we  were  once  more  at  Brasnear  City,  La., 
where  we  remained  one  month.  May  23rd  Corporal  J. 
B.  Lott  was  elected  Sergeant,  ranking  from  May  1st, 
1864.  June  18th,  1864,  the  company  was  sent  to  Bayou 
Boeuf,  where  we  were  destined  to  stay  18%  months. 
Co.  F  we  found  already  there,  and  Company  K  was 
added  on  Sept.  22nd.  A  company  of  cavalry  was  with 
us  most  of  the  time,  at  first  of  the  18th  New  York, 
later  of  the  Kith  Indiana  Mounted  Infantry ;  the  rest  of 
the  33rd  regiment  occupied  stations  along  the  same  rail 
road.  Our  long  stay  at  Bayou  Boeuf  was  a  rather 
weary  part  of  our  military  experience.  We  were 
guarding  a  post  which  was  not  attacked,  and  although 
there  were  occasional  rumors  of  rebel  movements  and 
we  made  various  scouting  expeditions  by  land  and 
water,  there  was  no  fighting. 

July  4th,  1864,  our  "non-veterans"  were  sent  back 
from  the  99th  Illinois  and  re-united  with  us,  raising 
the  aggregate  of  the  company  to  57.  Reductions  of  this 
number  soon  followed.  Formal  notice  was  received 
July  18th  of  S.  M.  Shaw's  discharge,  to  receive  a  com 
mission  in  a  colored  regiment.  He  was  a  good  man 
and  good  soldier ;  had  been  color-bearer  in  the  Vicks 
burg  assault  and  well  deserved  his  promotion.  Sept. 
1st  Sergt.  Leys  was  transferred  to  the  non-commis 
sioned  staff  as  Sergt.  Major.  He  was  already  acting  as 
such  and  was  competent  and  worthy  of  the  appoint 
ment.  Sergt.  Jones  was  sent  home  on  recruiting  detail 
on  Sept.  4th,  and  returned  to  the  company  Nov.  30th. 
Sept.  17th,  1864,  our  21  non-veterans  started  homeward 
to  be  discharged,  the  company  officers  accompanying 
them  to  New  Orleans,  where  the  last  of  the  many  pa 
pers  required  to  go  with  them  were  made  out.  They 


went  north  by  sea,  guarding  rebel  prisoners.  Their 
discharge  finally  separated  the  rest  of  us  from  nearly 
half  the  company,  all  of  them  original  members,  and 
all  closely  bound  to  us  like  brothers  by  three  years  of 
varied  service  and  experience  in  camp  and  field  in 
half  a  dozen  great  states,  and  under  all  the  varying 
conditions  of  the  soldier's  life.  How  much  their  re 
maining  comrades  missed  them  all !  A  letter  from 
Fordice,  received  Oct.  loth,  informed  us  of  their  ar 
rival  at  Camp  Butler  on  the  night  of  Oct.  3rd,  and 
their  discharge  was  completed  on  the  llth.  Private 
W.  H.  Ball,  long  absent,  sick,  had  already  been  dis 
charged.  Oct.  25th,  1864,  at  Springfield,  111.,  for  expir 
ation  of  service.  Private  T.  H.  Storrs,  also  an  invalid 
of  long  standing,  was  transferred  to  the  veteran  reserve 
(invalid)  corps  Sept.  30th,  1864.  John  N.  Hall,  who 
had  been  left  sick  at  Bloomington  with  a  severe  case  of 
erysipelas  when  we  returned  from  veteran  furlough,  re 
turned  to  the  company  Oct.  15th,  still  hopelessly  dis 
abled  for  service,  and  was  discharged  Nov.  18,  1864. 
Capt.  Gray  of  Company  F,  having  gone  home  on  detail 
in  command  of  the  non-veterans  of  the  regiment,  I 
commanded  the  post  of  Bayou  Boeuf  from  Sept.  18th 
until  his  return  on  Nov.  20th.  The  officers  were  so  fre 
quently  detailed  or  otherwise  absent  that  on  several  oc 
casions  I  was  the  only  officer  present  with  the  four 
companies. 

Oct.  4th  the  Illinois  regiments  took  a  vote  for  Presi 
dent.  All  of  Company  C  voted  for  Lincoln.  The  vote 
had  no  practical  effect  in  the  election,  as  the  legislature 
had  refused  to  provide  for  counting  it.  Nov.  5th  we 
discovered  and  broke  up  a  line  of  contraband  trade 
from  our  post  into  the  rebel  lines,  and  for  some  days 
were  busy  skirmishing  through  the  fields  and  swamps 
in  search  of  deposits  of  goods  and  in  rounding  up  ac 
cused  persons  and  witnesses  for  the  authorities  who 
took  charge  of  the  prosecution.  Nov.  25th  G.  J.  Jor 
dan,  one  of  our  enlisted  recruits  (1861),  was  discharged 
for  expiration  of  service.  December  30th  two  recruits 
arrived;  Fletcher  Brigham  and  Joseph  8.  Davis,  en 
listed  Sept.  27th  for  one  year,  a  full  quarter  of  which 
had  elapsed  before  "red  tape"  succeeded  in  actually 
placing  them  in  the  company.  One  more  recruit  was 
obtained  on  the  ground,  Jan.  28th,  1865— Francois  Cu- 
villier,  an  Acadian  boy  of  17,  of  Bayou  Boeuf,  a  cheerful, 
good  little  fellow  whose  service  was  unhappily  destined 
to  be  short,  for  he  was  killed  less  than  three  months 
after.  Sergt.  G.  W.  Jones  was  elected  1st  Sergt.  Jan. 
25th  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  company  ;  Corporal 
Larimer  was  promoted  to  Sergeant. 

At  last  came  the  end  of  our  long  stay  at  Bayou 
Boeuf,  and  we  gladly  welcomed  the  prospect  of  return 
to  active  service.  We  were  weary  of  inaction  and  of 
the  comparative  stagnation  of  garrison  life.  Although 
our  sojourn  among  the  gulf  swamps  had  been  much 
freer  from  acute  disease  than  could  have  been  expected 
(and  much  more  so  than  on  the  breezy  pine  hills  of 
Missouri),  yet  there  had  been  a  general  lowering  of  vi 
tality,  as  the  photographs  taken  at  this  time  amply  wit- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


Ill 


nessed,  and  we  all  needed  the  stimulus  of  movement 
and  change  of  scene.  For  me  personally  our  departure 
for  the  field  came  as  a  rescue.  A  detail  for  me  as 
Provost  Marshal  at  Houmn,  La.,  had  been  issued  or  de 
termined  on  at  higher  headquarters;  but  the  official 
order  never  overtook  us  until  we  were  on  the"  inarch  far 
beyond  Mobile  in  the  heart  of  Alabama,  and  then,  in 
view  of  the  changed  circumstances  it  was  not  difficult 
to  get  the  order  rescinded  and  I  remained  with  Co.  C. 

At  the  point  now  reached  in  our  history— Feb.  28th, 
1865— the  company  consisted  of  33  men,  as  follows: 
Capt.  E.  J.  Lewis;  1st  Lieut.  A.  L.  Bush;  Sergts.  G. 
W.  Jones,  J.  B.  Lott,  J.  A.  Larimer;  Corporals  D.  S. 
Leach,  D.  C.  Jordan,  B.  P.  Levick,  W.  McClure ;  Mu 
sician  W.  C.  Rails;  Wagoner  J.  M.  McKee;  Privates  B. 
Brigham,  F.  Brigham,  J.  Brown,  J.  Corbaly,  S.  Coy, 
C.  W.  Cutting,  T.  E.  Cutting,  F.  Cuvillier,  J.  S. 
Davis,  J.  H.  Elkin,  J.  A.  Wrier,  L.  W.  Hall,  H.  PI. 
Hays,  J.  Hollandsworth,  F.  Hummell,  J.  Hyre,  W.  P. 
Lanphier,  M.  McNulty,  J.  M.  Slown,  O.  L.  Taylor,  J. 
Tendick,  J.  Thompson. 

March  1st,  18(55,  three  companies  of  the  75th  United 
States  colored  troops  arrived  at  Bayou  Boeuf  to  relieve 
us,  and  next  morning  Companies  C,  F  and  K  left  by 
railroad  for  New  Orleans  to  join  in  the  pending  move 
ment  against  Mobile.  We  were  on  three  flat  cars  (C  on 
the  hindmost),  behind  which  was  a  passenger  car  for 
the  officers.  As  we  progressed  eastward  the  other  com 
panies  on  flats  or  in  box  cars  were  attached  forward  as 
we  reached  their  stations.  Thus  we  had  arrived  at  the 
27th  mile  post  from  New  Orleans,  three  miles  short  of 
Boutee  Station,  when  the  memorable  railroad  accident 
occurred,  caused  by  the  train  running  over  a  horse.  The 
train  was  broken  up,  nine  men  killed  and  over  seventy 
hurt.  Company  C,  being  on  the  last  car,  escaped  un 
banned.  After  spending  some  days  in  New  Orleans 
and  at  the  Metarie  race  course  we  embarked  on  Lake 
Pontchartrain  on  March  18th  and  on  March  21st  landed 
on  Fish  river.  We  were  now  a  part  of  the  16th  Army 
Corps,  General  A.  J.  Smith;  First  Division,  Gen. 
McArthur;  First  Brigade,  Brev.  Brig.  Gen.  McMillan; 
moving  northward  up  the  east  side  of  Mobile  Bay 
through  a  level  or  gently  rolling  country  mostly  cov 
ered  with  pitch  pine  and  thinly  grassed  over.  WTe  ar 
rived  on  March  27th  in  front  of  the  rebel  works  at 
Spanish  Fort,  near  Mobile.  We  threw  up  opposing 
works  and  pressed  our  advance  with  vigor,  the  sandy 
soil  allowing  much  more  rapid  excavation  than  at 
Vicksburg.  The  enemy  also  were  more  active  and 
waspish  than  at  Vicksburg,  keeping  up  a  brisk  fire  of 
both  artillery  and  musketry.  March  28th  Edward  Cut 
ting  of  C  was  shot  through  the  arm  while  unloading 
rations  at  regimental  headquarters ;  flesh  wound. 
March  30th  Sergt.  Lott  received  a  scalp  wound  from  a 
bullet  while  standing  at  our  works.  April  4th  as  I  lay 
in  my  little  shelter  tent  a  bullet  passed  through  it  some 
three  inches  above  my  breast  and  buried  itself  in  a 
stake  at  the  rear  end,  from  which  I  cut  it  out.  Next 
day  while  at  work  in  our  front  sap  some  75  yards  from 


the  rebel  fort  (their  sharpshooters  said  to  be  lying 
within  30  or  40  yards),  many  shots  were  fired  at  my 
party  without  effect.  General  McArthur  visited  us 
there  at  this  time  and  viewed  the  advanced  works. 
April  8th  a  prematurely  exploding  Parrott  shell  from 
our  own  battery  (as  usual  more  deadly  to  us  than  the 
enemy's  fire)  sent  a  fragment  through  Sergeant  Lott's 
arm  as  he  lay  reading  in  his  tent  close  beside  Sergt. 
Jones,  producing  a  wound  which  caused  his  discharge; 
and  another  piece  struck  our  young  Acadian  recruit, 
Cuvillier,  in  the  side  with  fatal  effect,  for  he  died  four 
days  later.  Strowbridge  of  B  was  mortally  wounded 
by  the  same  shell ;  but  at  midnight  of  that  day  the 
enemy's  works  were  found  to  be  evacuated  and  we  took 
possession.  April  9th  moved  to  Blakely  and  lay  in  re 
serve  while  other  troops  stormed  the  works.  On  the 
llth  I  went  carefully  over  this  battle  ground.  The 
works  were  some  three  miles  long;  for  fully  half  a  mile 
wide  in  their  front  a  dense  growth  of  trees  had  been 
chopped  down  and  lay  crossing  in  every  direction. 
Then  came  two  or  three  lines  of  brush  abattis  with  in 
cidental  obstructions,  such  as  wires  stretched  at  good 
tripping  height,  before  reaching  the  breastworks ;  yet 
over  all  this  our  troops  had  charged  successfully  and 
taken  the  works  and  most  of  the  garrison. 

Mobile  having  surrendered  on  the  12th,  we  marched 
for  Montgomery  on  the  13th,  camped  near  Greenville 
on  the  21st,  and  were  informed  next  day  officially  of 
the  surrender  of  General  Lee.  At  Greenville  one  home 
made  Union  flag  was  hung  out  as  we  passed  through. 
April  25th  passed  through  Montgomery,  the  first  capital 
of  the  Confederacy,  and  camped  near  the  Alabama 
river  some  three  miles  from  town.  There  were  rebel 
pickets  across  the  river,  but  they  were  quite  friendly, 
for  an  armistice  had  been  proclaimed  and  the  war  was 
virtually  over.  Here  we  learned  May  1st  officially  of 
the  murder  of  President  Lincoln,  which  had  been  pre 
viously  reported  but  was  not  generally  believed.  May 
10th  marched  for  Selma.  May  17th  reached  Meridian, 
Miss.,  where  we  lay  for  the  next  two  months.  Com 
pany  C  had  been  further  depleted  since  Feb.  28th  by 
the  death  of  Cuvillier  April  12th  and  the  discharge  of 
W.  C.  Rails  May  18th  and  Sergt.  J.  B.  Lott  June  15th 
at  New  Orleans  hospital,  so  that  it  now  aggregated  but 
30  men  ;  and  now,  July  19th,  under  the  general  orders 
for  the  transfer  of  men  from  regiments  about  to  be 
mustered  out,  32  men  were  assigned  to  this  company 
from  the  124th  Illinois,  Company  C,  and  (except  five 
absentees)  joined  us  here  at  Meridian.  Next  day  Com 
pany  C  was  sent  to  Enterprise,  15  miles  south  of  Meri 
dian  on  the  Mobile  railroad,  relieving  the  95th  Ohio  in 
the  occupation  of  the  place ;  and  there  on  July  26th  ar 
rived  38  more  men  transferred  to  Company  C  from 
three  companies  of  the  72nd  Illinois.  Nominally  46 
men  were  so  transferred,  but  about  8  were  absentees 
who  never  actually  joined.  Thus  the  whole  number 
added  to  the  company  roll  by  transfer  was  78,  swelling 
our  aggregate  to  108,  or  seven  more  than  the  lawful 
maximum  aggregate. 


112 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


And  now  with  full  ranks  Company  C  took  a  fresh 
start  in  its  military  career,  but  it  was  hardly  military 
now.  The  war  was  over,  and  except  to  maintain  order 
among  the  disturbed  elements  now  settling  down  into 
peaceful  conditions,  there  was  little  to  do.  I  com 
manded  the  post  of  Enterprise  and  was  general  "boss" 
and  hearer  of  complaints  for  the  surrounding  country. 
Lieut.  Bush  mostly  had  the  active  charge  of  the  com 
pany,  except  when  away  on  some  detail,  as  was  often 
the  case.  The  men  stood  guard  here  and  there  over 
property  which  was  in  our  care,  and  went  on  little  ex 
peditions  to  arrest  offenders  and  prevent  disturbance ; 
and  every  few  days  came  a  "grape-vine"  rumor  to  ex 
cite  us  that  the  regiment  was  to  be  mustered  out  im 
mediately,  which  in  a  day  or  two  proved  untrue.  With 
all  my  inclination,  fostered  by  four  years  of  close  asso 
ciations  in  camp  and  field,  to  regard  our  veterans  of 
the  old  33rd  as  the  finest  examples  to  be  found  of  the 
volunteer  soldiers,  I  must  say  that  I  found  among  the 
transferred  men  on  closer  acquaintance  many  noble 
young  fellows,  intelligent,  educated,  gentlemanly, 
moral ;  in  short,  well  fitted  to  rank  with  our  best. 
There  were  exceptions  of  course,  but  for  the  transferred 
men  as  a  class  I  cherish  very  kindly  and  brotherly 
memories. 

Nominations  of  non-commissioned  officers  to  fill  a 
number  of  vacancies  existing  in  the  company  were 
sent  in  to  regimental  headquarters  as  early  as  July  28th. 
I).  C.  Jordan,  William  McClure  and  D.  S.  Leach  were 
promoted  from  Corporals  to  Sergeants,  and  J.  Brown, 
O.  L.  Taylor,  J.  Tendick,  J.  Hyre  and  L.  W.  Hall 
were  made  Corporals,  all  ranking  from  July  1st,  18(35. 
All  of  these  were  old  members  of  the  company.  Of  the 
transferred  men  John  Sweeney  was  already  a  Corporal 
and  was  so  continued  until  discharged  Aug.  29tb  by 
special  order  as  a  "supernumerary  non-commissioned 
officer",  and  L.  Humiston  (from  Aug.  1st),  J.  C.  Bailey 
and  J.  W.  Palmateer  (from  Sept.  1st)  were  made  Cor 
porals.  1st  Sergt.  G.  W.  Jones  was  commissioned  2nd 
Lieut,  ranking  from  Aug.  27th,  1865;  Sergt.  J.  A. 
Larimer  was  made  1st  Sergeant  from  Sept.  1st,  and 
Corporal  B.  P.  Levick  was  promoted  to  Sergeant  from 
the  same  date.  Fletcher  Brigham  and  Joseph  S.  Davis, 
one-year  men,  whose  term  would  expire  Sept.  26th, 
were  started  for  home  on  Aug.  8th,  discharged  under 
a  War  Department  order. 

Aug.  9th  I  went  to  Gainesville,  Ala.,  on  a  detail  as 
member  of  a  court  martial,  but  in  eight  days  of  wait 
ing  no  quorum  of  the  court  could  be  got  together,  and 
on  Aug.  18th  it  adjourned  sine  die,  and  1  returned  to 
Meridian  to  find  that  the  company  had  marched  with 
the  regiment  for  Vicksburg  over  land.  I  obtained  per 
mission  to  follow  via  Mobile  and  New  Orleans,  just 
then  the  only  route  available  for  steam  transportation, 
and  on  the  24th  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Vicksburg. 
The  dull  barrack  life  of  the  next  few  months  was  var 
ied  by  few  incidents  of  interest.  Two  of  our  trans 
ferred  men  died  in  hospitals — James  Stevenson,  an  old 
man  far  past  the  legitimate  age  of  service,  on  Sept. 


12th  at  Vicksburg,  and  John  Kiley  on  Sept.  15th  at 
Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 

Fred  Hummell,  a  veteran  and  original  member,  was 
discharged  for  disability  Sept.  28th,  and  during  the 
first  half  of  October  no  less  than  10  transferred  men 
were  discharged. 

On  Oct.  14th  six  companies— A,  B,  C,  D,  E  and  F— 
were  sent  up  the  Yazoo  river  by  steamboat  to  occupy 
Yazoo  City,  and  during  the  vo.yage  our  veteran  com 
rade  W.  P.  Lanphier  fell  overboard  and  was  drowned. 
At  Yazoo  City  Lieut.  Bush  acted  for  a  time  as  Quarter 
master.  Oct.  27th  1  went  to  Vicksburg  to  sit  on  a 
court  martial  and  was  so  occupied  until  Nov.  14th, 
when  I  was  recalled  to  Yazoo  City  by  the  welcome  news 
that  the  order  for  our  muster-out  had  been  issued.  The 
heavy  work  of  preparing  the  voluminous  muster-out 
papers  at  once  gave  the  officers  full  occupation.  I  had 
for  a  number  of  days  some  of  the  best  writers  in  the 
company  assisting  me,  at  one  time  as  many  as  six  writ 
ing  at  once,  on  the  seven  copies  of  the  great  muster-out 
roll. 

On  Nov.  24th  we  were  mustered  out  and  immediately 
embarked  for  Vicksburg.  Fourteen  men  availed  them 
selves  of  the  general  order,  permitting  such  as  chose  to 
remain  south  to  receive  their  discharge  at  Vicksburg, 
and  were  discharged  Nov.  24th.  The  rest  of  us  started 
up  the  river  that  night,  we  officers  still  working  hard  on 
our  multifarious  papers  during  the  voyage,  and  arrived 
at  Camp  Butler,  near  Springfield,  111.,  Nov.  30th;  and 
at  last,  on  Dec.  6th,  1865,  all  the  requirements  of  "red 
tape"  being  at  last  fulfilled,  the  enlisted  men  received 
their  final  pay  and  discharge  and  at  once  scattered  for 
home.  Some  officers— myself  for  one— got  their  dis 
charges  next  day,  December  7th.  Three  officers  and 
73  enlisted  men  appeared  on  the  muster-out  roll  as  dis 
charged  at  this  final  stage,  making,  with  the  fourteen 
discharged  "with  a  view  of  remaining  south",  an  ag 
gregate  of  90.  The  same  roll  shows  three  transferred, 
forty-seven  discharged  and  four  died  since  the  reorgan 
ization  or  re-enlistment  of  the  company. 

From  first  to  last  195  distinct  names  appear  upon  the 
rolls  as  having  been  members  of  the  company.  Of  the 
transferred  men,  however,  several  were  absent  when 
the  transfer  was  made  and  never  really  joined  the  33rd 
regiment.  The  company  had  four  Captains— Roe, 
Robinson,  Kellogg  and  Lewis;  five  1st  Lieutenants — 
Robinson,  Kellogg,  Lewis,  Fifer  and  Bush  ;  four  2nd 
Lieutenants— Kellogg,  Fifer,  Bush  and  Jones.  Ten 
pairs  of  brothers  belonged  to  the  company — Benson, 
Philip  Y.  and  Robert  M.  ;  Brigham,  Benajah  and 
Fletcher;  Cutting,  Charles  W.  and  Thomas  E.  ;  Fifer, 
George  H.  and  Joseph  W.  ;  Hankins,  Henry  S.  and 
William  H.  ;  Jordan,  David  C.  and  George  J.  ;  Moore, 
Joseph  W.  and  John  S.  ;  Shoup,  Sebastian  F.  and  Wil 
liam  D.  ;  Taylor,  John  S.  and  Jay ;  Wood,  Alexander  W. 
and  William  M.  It  cannot  be  improper  to  place  on 
record  as  a  part  of  the  company's  history  the  fact  that 
one  of  its  members,  Joseph  W.  Fifer,  has  since  tilled 
the  high  position  of  Governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois, 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


113 


having  been  elected   in  1888  and  served  the  full  term  of      lowed.     Though  imperfect,  I  Relieve  it  to  be  correct,  as 


four  years. 

Comrades  of  Company  C,  to  you  I  submit  this  at 
tempt,  forty  years  after  our  enlistment,  to  perpetuate  the 
history  of  our  service  by  sketching  it  in  outline  so  far  as 
the  fragmentary  records  remaining  at  hand  have  al- 


far  it  goes,  and   I   trust  you  will   find   it  not  wholly 
without  interest  and  value. 

Your  old  Captain, 

EDWARD  J.  LEWIS. 
Bloomington,  Illinois,  October,  1901. 


ROSTER  OF  "C"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  22  August,  J86f.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  J5  August,  186J.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 

Roe,  Edward  R  
Robinson,  Daniel  B 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Bloomington. 

IS  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Aug.,  '61..  .. 
30  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Jan.,  '62.  .  .  . 
24  Jan.,  '62,  to  20  May,  '63  
20  May,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Aug.,  '61  
30  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Jan.,  '62.... 
24  Jan.,  '62,  to  20  May,  '63  
20  May,  '63,  to  26  Dec.,  '63  

27  Dec.,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Aug.,  '61  
30  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  May,  '63.  .  .  . 
29  May,  '63,  to  27  Dec.,  '63.  ... 
27  Aug.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Aug.,  '61..  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Jan.,  '62 

Promoted  Major  at  organization  of  regiment. 
Resigned. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  22  May,  '63.     Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  Captain  at  Camp  Butler,  111. 
Promoted  Captain. 
Wounded  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Promoted  Captain. 
Died  from  wounds  received  at  Fort  Esperanza,  Tex.,  on  27th  Nov.,  '63. 
Served  on  Brigade  Staff. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Served  on  Division  Staff.    Promoted  1st  Lieut. 
Wounded.    Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  to  accept  promotion  as  Captain  in  26  Illi 
nois  Infantry. 

Wounded.     Promoted   1st  Sergeant;    then    2nd   Lieutenant.    Carried 
the  tlag  at  Fredericktown,  Mo. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  V.  C.  as  Hospital  Steward. 
Promoted    1st    Sergeant.      Served     by    transfer    in    99th      Illinois. 
Discharged  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Promoted  Sergeant.    Served  by  transfer  in  99th  Illinois.     Discharged 
at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99th  Illinois.     Discharged  at  expiration  term  of 
service. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Promoted  Sergeant.    Sergt.  Major  of  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Sergeant;  1st  Sergt.;  wounded  at  Black  River  Bridge,  Miss. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.  Discharged  expiration  term  of  service. 
Returned  to  ranks.     Discharged  for  disability. 

Promoted  Drum  Major. 
Transferred  to  Non-Commissioned  Staff  as  Fife  Major  at  Old  Town 
Landing. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  for  promotion  in  U.  S.  C.  1.  as  Captain. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '<>5.    M.O.  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Pittman's  Ferry,  Ark. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Wounded  at  Jackson,  Miss.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Kellogg,  Henry  M.  .. 

Bloomington.  .. 
Bloomington.  .  . 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Bloomington.  .  . 
Bloomington.  .  . 
Stout's  Grove.. 

Bloomington.  .. 

Bloomington.  .. 
Stout's  Grove.  . 
Bloomington.  .. 
White  Oak 

Lewis,  Edward  J  
IST  LIEUTENANT. 

Robinson,  Daniel  B  
Kellogg,  Henry  M  
Lewis,  Edward  J  
Fifer,  George  H  

Bush,  Amandus  L 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Kellogg:,  Henry  M.. 

Fifer,  George  H. 

Bush,  Amandus  L  
Jones,  George  W 

SERGEANT. 

Fifer,  George  H  
Bloomtield,  Ira  J 

Stout's  Grove.. 
Bloomtield  

Bush,  Amandus  L 

Bloomington.  .. 

Lexington  
Bloomington.  .. 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Twin  Grove.  .  .  . 

Lexington  
White  Oak  
Old  Town  
McLean  Co. 

8  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  May,  '63  
8  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Dec.,  '63..  . 

McClure,  Nathaniel  C  
Fordice,  James  M  

CORPORAL. 
Taylor,  John  S  
Shoup,  Sebastian  F  

Hyre,  Jonathan  
Leys,  John  
Oswalt,  Samuel  B  
Larimer,  John  A. 

8  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

8  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  June,  '64... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Nov.,  '61.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  Nov.,  '62.  .  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Oct.,  '61  .... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Sept.,  '62.... 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  May,  '63.... 
3  Dec.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  Nov.,  '61  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  April,  '62.  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  July,  '64  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Sept.,  '64.  ... 

Taylor,  Jay  
Trimmer,  William  

Bloomington.  .. 
McLean  Co  

Brooklyn 

MUSICIAN. 
Rails,  William  C. 

Kitchen,  Joseph  L  
PRIVATE. 

Atkins,  Francis  D  
Abercrombie,  James  
Brigham,  Benajah  

Benson,  Philip  Y 

Lexington  

Waynesville.  .  .  . 
Bloomington.  .. 
White  Oak 

Boyd,  Andrew  J  
Blue,  Warner  A  
Bishop,  William  J  
Ball,  William  H. 

Lexington  
Stout's  Grove.. 
Hey  worth  
Old  Town  

114 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


'C"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continucd. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF    SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Basnett,  William  

Stout's  Grove 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Benson,  Robert  M  

Bloomington. 

14  Aug.,  '62,  to  18  Oct.,  '63 

Discharged  for  wounds  received  22  May,  '63 

Brigham,  Fletcher  
Barton,  Pinkney  S 

Bloomington.  .. 

27  Sept.,  '64,  to  10  Aug.,  '65.  .  . 
28  Nov.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Brown,  Josiah  L  

4  Dec.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as 

Bailey,  John  C. 

Jerseyville  . 

22  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Corporal. 

Barnes,  Robert  A  

Rochester    

18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Corporal. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Beck,  Henry  W  

Otter  Creek  

•  26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Bellinghoxisen,  John 

Chicago 

30  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Berry,  Patrick. 

Chicago 

20  March,  '64,  to 

Bowman,  Frederick  

Chicago  

17  Aug.,  '(A,  to 

Never  joined  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  Juiy,  '65. 

Brophy,  John  
Burtis,  Stephen  H  .. 

Chicago  
Huntsville 

20  March,  '64,  to  
19  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Never  joined  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Byerly,  Edmund  
Corbaly,  John  
Childers,  John  H  

Chicago  
Hudson  
Stout's  Grove.  . 

30  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Oct.,  '63 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

Coffey,  James. 

Randolph's 

Clary.  Robert  W... 

Grove  
Stout's  Grove.  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
15  Autr..  '61.  to  11  Oct..  '64 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    Promoted  Corporal.     M.  O.  by  ex 
piration  term  of  service. 
Se.rvt-d  bv  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  bv  expiration  term  of  service. 

Cox,  James  W !  Lexington 15  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Oct.,  '62.. 

Coy,  Samuel Bloomington. . .  I  26  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . . 

Cuvillier,  Francois Assumption,  La.!  28  Jan.,  '65,  to  12  April,  '65.. 

Cutting,  Charles  W Dale 27  Nov.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

Carroll,  Andrew  J Kane !  1  March, '64,  to  6  Dec., '65. . 

Curtis,  Leander Otter  Creek ....    23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . . 

Cutting,  Thomas  E Shirley 11  Dec.,  '63.  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 


Coote,  Richard  C 

DuBois,  Cornelius... 


Chicago 

Bloomington. . . 


5  Dec.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Nov.,  '63. 


Davis,  James  W Old  Town j  15  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Nov., 

Davis,  Ransom Old  Town '  15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct., 

Davis,  William  A White  Oak 19  Feb.,  '62,  to  19  Sept., 

Ducoing,  Henry Springfield 22  March, '64,  to  6  Dec., 

Davis,  Joseph  S Bloomington. ..    27  Sept.,  '(A,  to  10  Aug., 

Dougherty,  Patrick Alton 1  March, '64,  to  6  Dec., 

Dunbar,  William  F Mt.  Sterling 31  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec., 

Eldridge,  Ira  P i  Twin  Grove !  15  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  Jan., 

Evans,  John  M j  Lexington 15  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Aug., 

1 
Elkin,  James  II Bloomington. . . !  15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  ' 


'63.. 

'64.. 
'63. . 

'65. 

'65. 
'65.. 

'65. 
'62.. 
'63.. 


Fogle,  Samuel  J. 
Fifer,  Joseph  W. 

Folds,  Elisha  J... 
Fitsmorris,  David 
Grier,  James  A. ... 

Graham,  Thomas 

Gallagher,  Patrick... 
Grabendiks,  Hiraus.. 
Geogle,  Joseph 

Gennett,  Charles 

Gleason,  Bishop.. . 
Horr,  William  L.. 
Howell,  Vinton.. 
Hall,  John  W..:.. 
Hough,  James  M 

Hays,  Henry  H 

Hummell,  Frederick. 
Hamel,  Charles  M... 
Hollandsworth,  Jona 

Harness,  William 
Hall,  Levi  W 

Hankins,  Henry  S 
Hankins,  William  H 

Hodge,  Richard.. . 
Hays,  Henry  H 


BloomingGrove 
Chicago 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Dec.,  '62  
5  April,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Nov.,  '61.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  . 

7  Oct..  '(A,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Nov.,  '61,  to  6  March,  '62.  .  . 
28  Nov.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  March,  '65,  to  13  Oct.,  '65.. 
16  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '63  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Nov.,  '64  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Sept.,  '62.  .. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Feb.,  '63.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Sept.,  '65.  .. 
15  Aug..  '61,  to  12  Jan.,  '63.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Feb.,  '63.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Dec.,  '62.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  June,  '63  .  .  . 

Old  Town  
Stout's  Grove.. 

Auburn 

!  ChiiMi'o 

is  

Bloomington.  .  . 
Bloomington.  .  . 

Mechanicsburg. 

Chicago  
Chicago  
Padua  
Bloomington.  .  . 
Stout's  Grove.. 
Bloomington.  .  . 
Bloomington.  .  . 
Pleasant  Hill.... 
Lexington  
Lexington  

Lexington  
Stout's  Grove.. 

Stout's  Grove. 

ck  
ma  than. 

II  Lexington... 

Springfield 

Bloomington. .. 


22  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 
15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 


Discharged  for  disability. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Wounded  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  8  April,  '65.     Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment  Wounded  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  28 
March,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Promoted  Corporal;  Sergeant.  Carried  the  flag  after  Bird  was  killed 
22  May,'63.  Discharged  for  promotion  to  Lieut,  in  53rd  U.  S.  Col.  Inft. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Discharged  for  promotion  as  Lieutenant  in  a  Mo.  regiment. 

Discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  at 
Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  22  May.  '63.  Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment.  Veteran.  ' 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Seriously  wounded  13  July,  '63,  at  Jackson,  Miss.  M.  O.  by  expiration 
term  of  service. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

M.  O.  with  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  La.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Discharged  for  disability.  Wounded  at  Wimbush's  Plantation  1  Aug., '62. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.  Wounded  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss.  Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Wounded  at  Vicksburg.  Miss.,  13  Junj,  '63.  Discharged  with  the  regi 
ment  as  Corporal.  Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicks 
burg,  Miss. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

This  is  the  same  H.  H.  Hays  that  was  discharged  25  Feb.,  '63.  Re-en 
listed  and  was  discharged  with  tlu  regiment. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"C"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


115 


NAME  AMD  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 
Hays,  Pliny  G 

Alton  . 

1  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '05.. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  regiment  as  Corp'l. 
M.  O.   by  expiration   term  of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Prisoner  of  war  since   Nov.  30th,   '64.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 

Prisoner  of  war  since  Nov.  30,  '64.   Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O   with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

M.   O.   by   expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Sergeant;    1st  Sergt.  ;    2nd   Lieutenant.    Wounded  22  May, 
'63.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted    Corporal.     Discharged   with    the    regiment  as    Sergeant. 
Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.   O.   by   expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted    Corporal.     Discharged   with   the    regiment    as    Sergeant. 
Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal;    Sergeant.     "  ounded   13  July,   '63,   at    Jackson, 
Miss.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Disaharged  for  disability  at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal,   Sergeant.     Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for 
wounds   received  at  Spanish   Fort,  Ala.,  30  March,  '65,  and  8  April, 
'65.    Veteran. 
Drowned  at  Paxton's  Landing,  Miss. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Deserted  7  Dec.,  '62. 
Transferred  Irom  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    Sick  at  M.  O.  of  the  regiment. 
Never  joined  company. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Deserted  20  Feb.,  '62. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted   Corporal.     Returned   to   ranks.    Served   by  transfer  in  99 
Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  teamster.    Veteran. 
Mexican  war  veteran.    Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.     M.  O.  with  the 
regiment.    Veteran. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Died  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.   O.   by  expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
M.   O.    bv   expiration   term   of  service.     Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July  ,"'65. 
Served  bv  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  bv  expiration  term  of  service. 
Wou.ided  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  22  May,  ''63. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     Sick  at  M.  O.  of  the  regiment. 
Never  joined  company. 

Humiston,  Linus  

Otter  Creek  . 

15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Hays,  Thomas  

Chicago 

11  Oct.,  '64,  to  10  Oct.,  '65  

Hays,  Morris  

Chicago 

7  Dec..  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Jan.,  '64,  to  

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  

Holroyd,  Benjamin  F  
Hubbard,  John  H 

Chicago  
Chicago 

2  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Hungerford,  Thomas  J  
Irish,  David  
Ingram,  George  H  

Jewell,  John 

Springfield  
Stout's  Grove.  . 
Chicago  

27  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Nov.,  '61  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65. 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 

Jones,  George  W  

White  Oak 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Aug.,  '65.  .  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Aug.,  '62  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Oct.,  '61  

John,  William  

Brook's  Grove. 

Jones,  William  M  

Jones,  Peter  D.  .  .            .... 

Bloomington.  .. 
Doniphan,  Mo.. 
Doniphan,  Mo.. 

Chicago  
Chicago  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Aug.,  '63  ... 
25  Nov.,  '61,  to  25  Nov.,  '64  — 
25  Nov.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

17  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Oct.,  '65  

18  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 

Jordan,  Gecrge  J  
Jordan,  David  C  

Jabitz,  Charles  
Judson,  DeWitt  

Kennedy,  James  K.  P. 

Leach,  David  S  

McLean  Co  

Stout's  Grove.. 

Bloomington.  .. 
Funk's  Grove.. 
Wilton,  Minn... 
Bloomington.  .. 
Stout's  Grove.. 

White  Oak 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  May,  '63.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Oct.,  '61..  .. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  H  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  June,  '65  ... 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Oct.  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Jan.,  '62  
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  

Levick,  Benjamin  P  
Loss,  Samuel  E 

Livei  no;s,  Narcisse  

Loveland,  Holder  C  
Leavitt,  Wesley.. 

Lott,  Jonathan  B  

Lanphier,  William  P  

Lewis,  Edward  J  
Long,  Isaac  IN  

Bloomington.  .  . 
Galesburg  
Otter  Creek.... 

23  Feb.,  '64,  to  

Land,  John  H  

24  Nov.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
2  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
1^  Aug.,  '61,  to 

Loop,  George  W. 

Laster,  Walter  L  

McNulty,  Michael  
McNiel,  John  C  

White  Oak  

McWhliams,  David  
Minter,  Williamson  P  
Moore,  Joseph  W  

McKee,  Josiah. 

Money  Creek... 
Bloomington  .  . 
Bloomington.  .  . 

White  Oak 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Aug.,  '62  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Jan.,  '64.... 
1  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Nov.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
22  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Aug.,  62,  to  31  Jan.,  '64  
22  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
8  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

McClure,  William  .   . 

Bloomington. 

Mitchel,  David  H 

White  Oak 

Moore,  Levin  A  
Maguire,  John  
McGee,  John  A..            .... 

Money  Ceeek  .  . 
Bloomington.  .  . 
Otter  Creek  

Malone,  John  . 

Malott,  Joseph  S  
Murphy,  Robert. 

Jerseyville  
Otter  Creek  
Bloomington.  .  . 

Moore,  John  S  
McCaslin,  Henry 

Mason,  Edward  T  

Chicago  

26  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

McGentey,  John  A  
Meyer,  Glaus  

Chicago  
Chicago  

4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Oct..  '65  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Norcross,  Lagrange  
Newman,  Terrance.. 

Concord  
Chicago 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Ogden,  William  C 

Towanda  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Nov.,  62.... 
31  March.  '64,  to  

Oswalt,  Isaac  
O'Donnell,  Jeremiah 

Old  Town  
Jerseyville  . 

11C 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"C"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 

Peterson,  Christopher  — 
Parker,  Sylvester  G  
P;ilm;itier,  Jeremiah  W.... 

White  Oak  
Bloomington.  .  . 

IS  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '62  
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  April,  '62.  .  .  . 
17  Jan.,  '65.  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  for  promotion  as  officer  in  a  Wisconsin  regiment. 
Promoted  Captain  H  Co.,  63  Illinois. 
Transferred   from  72   Illinois  Julv,   '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as 

Ouitman,  Philip. 

Chicago  

22  Dec.,  '63.  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Corporal. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Richey,  David  E  
Riley   Marvev  C 

Bloomington.  .. 
Alton  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  7  April,  '62.... 
1  March,  '64  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

22  Nov.,  '64,  to  15  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    Died  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 

Rhodes,  William  H  

Huntsville  

19  Nov.,  63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Shaw,  Samuel  M  
Shoup,  William  D.. 

Bloomington.  .. 
Stout's  Grove  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  May,  '64.  ... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.  .  .  . 

Wounded  26  May,    '63.    Carried   the   banner  22  May,  '63.    Promoted 
Corporal,   Sergeant.    M.  O.  for  promotion  to  2nd  Lieutenant  in  53 
U.  S.  C.  I. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Shores,  Chapman 

Bloomington.  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  May,  '63.  .  .  . 

Killed  in  action  at  Champion's  Hill,  Miss. 

Stroud,  Isaac  
Sizemore,  William  H  
Storrs,  Theron  H  
Shiner,  Isaac  W      

Lexington  
Bloomington.  .. 
Bloomington.  .. 
Money  Creek... 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  July,  '62..  .. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Sept.,  '64.  .. 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  May,  '63..  .. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  near  Helena,  Ark. 
Transferred  to  I).  S.  V.  R.  C. 
Killed  in  action  at  Champion's  Hill,  Miss. 

Smith,  Charles  S 

Bloomington.  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Nov.,  '62  .  .  . 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Sage,  Morris  11 

Dry  Grove  

15  Aug.,  '61.  to  7  April,  '62  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Slown,  James  M  

Money  Creek.  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec..  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Hudson  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Jan.,  '62..  .. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Cropsev 

4  Feh  ,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Shinn,  Charles  S 

Atlanta  

25  Nov.,  61,  to  19  Nov.,  '63.... 

Died  of  disease  at  Atlanta,  111.,  while  on  furlough. 

Sisson,  Henrv  H. 

Otter  Creek... 

13  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Stringham,  Milton  E  
Smith   William  H 

Otter  Creek  

1  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
3  Dec.,  '.64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Shepherd,  Martin. 

Chicago  

8  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Sweeney,  John  

Chicago  
Chicago... 

24  March,  '64,  to  29  Aug.,  '65.. 
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted   Corporal.     Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  72 
Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Shehan,  Patrick 

Chicago  

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Smith,  Charles 

Chicago 

16  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Stevenson,  James. 

Chicago  

5  Feb.,  '64,  to  12  Sept.,  '65  

Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

Taylor  William  B 

Chicago.. 

4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

M.   O.   by  expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 

Tucker,  John  
Turnipseed,  William 

Lexington  
Lexington  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64... 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Dec.,  '61  

July,  '65. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Taylor,  Otis  L. 

White  Oak  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Captured  at  Vicksburg,   Miss.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal. 

Tendick,  John. 

Bloomington.  .  . 

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Terry,  Henry  C.. 

Otter  Creek  

18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Thompson,  James  
Volk,  John  
Weiman,  Joseph  F  
Wilson,  Joseph  E  

Welch,  John  W  
Watts,  David  

Wood,  William  M  
Wood,  Alexander  M  
Wilson,  John  L  
Whittaker,  James  

Bloomington.  .. 
Chicago  
Chicago  
Chicago  

Chicago  
Chicago  

Stout's  Grove  .. 
Stoui's  Grove  .  . 
Grafton  
Jerseyville  

26  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
30  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
26  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

14  Aug.,  '62,  to  31  Oct.,  '65.  .  .  . 
3  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

15  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '62.  .  .  . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Dec.,  '61  .... 
11  Aug.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
8  April,  '64,  to  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Proper  name  James  Stone. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.   O.   by  expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
M.   O.   by   expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
M.   O.   by   expiration   term   of  service.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     Absent  on  detached  service  at 
M.  O.  of  the  regiment. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


117 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  W.  MASON. 
"D"  COMPANY. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  HIRAM  V.  ALGAR. 
"D"  COMPANY. 


JOHN  W.  PEPPER,        HIRAM  H.  ROSENGRANT, 
FIRST  LIEUT.  "D"  CO.         CAPTAIN  "D"  CO. 


WILLIAM  GEORGE, 
SECOND  LIEUT.  "D"  CO. 


118 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS'. 


"D"  COMPANY  SKETCH. 


The  original  organization  that  afterwards  became 
Company  D  was  accomplished  in  July  and  August, 
1861,  at  or  near  Taylorville,  Christian  county,  111.,  by 
Henry  H.  Pope  and  William  W.  Mason.  Its  rank  and 
file  were  farmer  boys  just  entering  vigorous  manhood. 
Few  of  them  had  seen  their  2oth  year.  They  were  filled 
with  that  patriotic  spirit  that  caused  them  to  willingly 
leave  comfortable  homes,  loving  parents  and  kind 
friends  for  the  dangers  of  the  battlefield,  the  march  and 
the  camp.  They  assembled  for  their  departure  to  begin 
their  life  as  soldiers  of  the  Republic  at  Mason's  school- 
house,  nine  miles  west  of  Taylorville,  on  August  loth, 
1861.  To  make  the  day  pleasant  and  memorable  a  din 
ner  in  the  grove  had  been  arranged  for  and  provided 
by  the  friends  of  the  departing  would-be  soldiers. 
After  the  dinner  much  good-natured  chafling  of  the 
boys  as'  to  their  fitness  for  soldiers  was  indulged  in  by 
their  friends.  This  was  responded  to  in  short,  well- 
worded  speeches  by  Henry  H.  Pope  and  William  W. 
Mason.  As  the  day  drew  to  a  close  the  men  took  their 
places  in  the  farm  wagons  that  had  been  provided  for 
their  transportation  to  Springfield,  111.  After  the  part 
ing  of  the  boys  with  those  they  held  most  dear,  and, 
alas  for  many  of  them,  the  final  leave  taking,  the 
wagons  started  on  the  journey  amid  the  waving  of  flags 
and  handkerchiefs  and  exclamations  of  "God  keep  you 
and  return  you  to  us  again."  Many  looked  for  the  last 
time  upon  the  loved  faces  whose  lineaments  would  ever 
be  with  them  in  their  new  life  to  encourage  them  in 
well  doing.  Many  of  those  dear  faces  hovered  in  im 
agination  over  the  sick  in  their  distress,  and  the  smile 
that  lit  up  the  faces  of  the  dying,  on  the  battlefield,  in 
the  hospital,  by  the  roadside  where  they  fell  on  their 
dreary  marches,  told  of  its  memory,  and  the  whispered 
name  of  that  loved  one  was  the  last  word  uttered  by  the 
brave  boy  in  blue  who  gave  his  life,  his  all,  that  his 
country  might  live. 

The  company  up  to  this  time  had  made  no  choice  of 
a  regiment  to  which  they  should  be  attached — the  regi 
ment  was  secondary.  The  idea  was  to  "get  into  the 
army".  On  arriving  at  Springfield  Henry  Pope  se 
cured  a  hall  for  the  use  of  the  men.  The  company  not 
having  men  enough  to  muster,  united  with  a  part  of  a 
company  of  men  from  Macoupin  county  which  had 
been  gathered  together  for  the  same  purpose  as  the 
"Christian  County  Contingent".  The  consolidation  of 
these  two  bodies  of  men  was  accomplished  by  electing 
Henry  H.  Pope  Captain,  William  W.  Mason  1st  Lieu 
tenant,  and  Franklin  J.  Duncklee  2nd  Lieutenant. 
The  33rd  Illinois  Infantry  was  then  in  process  of  for 
mation  at  Camp  Butler,  near  Springfield,  and  by  vote 
of  the  men  under  Captain  Henry  H.  Pope  they  joined 
the  regiment  and  became  known  as  Company  D,  and 


as  such  they  were  duly  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  Army 
for  three  years  of  the  war  on  August  28th,  1801,  the  en 
listment  to  date  from  August  16th,  1861. 

In  the  company  organization  Abial  Rosengrant  was 
elected  1st  Sergt.  Hiram  V.  Algar,  Michael  Simmond- 
son,  Cleop.  Breckenridge  and  William  H.  Moore  were 
elected  Duty  Sergeants.  Thomas  Mason,  John  Kuy- 
kendall,  John  W.  Pepper,  William  H.  Pelham  and 
Simpson  Driscall  were  elected  Corporals.  James  Bate- 
man  was  appointed  as  Musician  and  George  Griffan  as 
Wagoner.  The  Company  now  numbered,  officers  and 
enlisted  men,  seventy-nine  (79).  This  was  increased  in 
a  short  time  by  ten  more,  making  a  total  of  eighty-nine 
men  when  it  commenced  its  active  service.  To  this 
number  was  added  from  time  to  time  one  hundred  and 
twenty.  Forty-seven  of  these  men  came  to  the  company 
in  July,  1865,  by  transfer  from  the  72nd  Illinois,  117th 
Illinois  and  124th  Illinois.  These  regiments  had  been 
ordered  to  be  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  all  en 
listed  men  whose  term  of  service  had  not  expired  were 
to  be  transferred  to  the  33rd  Illinois  to  serve  balance  of 
time,  or  until  that  regiment  should  be  mustered  out. 
The  total  number  of  men  borne  on  the  company  rolls 
during  its  term  of  service  was  two  hundred  and  four. 
Of  this  number  seventeen  were  killed  or  died  of 
wounds;  twenty-one  died  from  disease;  eighteen  were 
more  or  less  wounded ;  one  was  drowned ;  forty-five 
were  discharged  from  disability ;  seven  deserted — some 
of  these  returned  to  the  company  and  were  mustered 
out  with  the  regiment.  Three  were  transferred  to  other 
branches  of  the  service;  one  was  promoted  to  be  Major 
of  the  regiment;  one  was  discharged  for  promotion  as 
an  officer  in  another  regiment.  Four  of  its  officers  had 
resigned  from  the  army  before  its  final  muster-out,  and 
all  the  commissioned  officers  in  the  company  at  that 
time  had  been  promoted  from  the  ranks.  Eighty 
names  were  on  its  rolls  at  time  of  final  discharge. 
Many  of  the  men  of  Company  I)  had  received  special 
mention  in  General  Orders.  It  furnished  more  than  its 
quota  of  the  "Color  Guard" — that  position  to  which 
none  but  those  showing  exceptional  soldierly  qualities 
are  chosen. 

Company  D  through  its  entire  term  of  service  made 
good  the  promises  pledged  for  its  conduct  on  that 
August  day  at  the  old  schoolhouse  in  Christian  county. 
It  was  always  ready  to  do  its  part  in  any  undertaking, 
and  the  little  mounds  by  the  roadside  throughout  the 
Southland  from  Illinois  to  the  Mexican  frontier  attest 
the  fact  that  they  counted  not  the  cost,  but  asked 
"where  do  you  want  us?",  and  when  told,  did  their 
best  for  country  and  home. 

This  sketch  is  compiled  in  a  great  measure  from  the 
record  of  D  Company,  written  by  James  W.  Bateman. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN   VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


119 


ROSTER  OF  "D"  COMPANY. 
Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  28  August,  1861.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  1865. 

Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  16  August,  J861.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  J865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS, 

CAPTAIN. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Sept.,  '64. 

Promoted  Major.    Veteran. 

Rosengrant,  Hiram  II  
IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Mason,  William  W. 

Springfield  
Taylorville  . 

12  Sept.,  '64,  to  1  Dec.,  '65  .... 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Aug.,  '64. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Moore,  William  11 

Hillsboro. 

28  Aug.,  '64,  to  28  Aug.,  '65.  .  . 

Resigned  at  Meridian,  Miss.    Veteran.     Wounded  2  March,  '65. 

Pepper,  John  W  
2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Duncklee,  Franklin  J  

Girard  
Girard  

20  Sept  ,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65.  .  .  . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Feb.,  '62..  .. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Resigned  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Algar,  Hiram  V  
Pepper,  John  W.. 

Taylorville  
Girard 

18  Feb.,  '62,  to  21  Sept.,  '64  
2  Aug.,  '65,  to  20  Sept.,  '65  

Veteran.     Resigned  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 

George,  William  
SERGEANT. 
Rosengrant,  Ahial. 

Springfield  
Taylorville, 

20  Sept.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  .... 
16  Aug.,  '61.  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
As  Sergeant   commanded   the  Company  from  3  Sept.,  '63,  to  26  Sept., 

Algar,  Hiram  V  
Simrnondson,  Michael.... 

Taylorville.  .... 
Girard.. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Feb.,  '62.... 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Jan.,  '63  

'63.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant.    Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Breckenndge,  Cleop  
Moore,  William  H  .   ... 

Springfield  
Hillsboro.. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Aug.,  '64  ... 

Served   by  transfer  in  99   Illinois.    Wounded.    Resigned  Sergeantcy. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant.    Veteran. 

CORPORAL. 

Mason,  Thomas  
Kuykeiuiall,  John. 

Taylorville  
Taylorville. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Sept.,  '62.  .  . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Promoted  Sergeant.    Killed  in  Miss,  near  Cuckle  Burr  Landing. 
Promoted   to  Sergeant.    Served   bv   transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by 

Pepper,  John  W  

Girard  .... 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Aug.,  '65  

expiration  term  of  service  as  private.    Wounded  22  May,  '63. 
Promoted  to  Sergeant,  1st  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant.    Veteran. 

Pelham,  William  B  
Driscall,  Simpson  
MUSICIAN. 
Bateman,  James  W  
WAGONER. 
Grilfan,  George  M  
PRIVATE. 

Aikin,  William  
Ahleniens,  Adam  O  
Allen,  Ephraim  G.. 

Salisbury  
Springfield  

Springfield  
Taylorville  

Springfield  .... 
Springfield  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  April,  '64.  .  . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  May,  '63..  .. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Aug.,  '65  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Feb.,  '63  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to 

Wounded    at    Black    River,    Miss.,   17    Mav.   '63.     Returned   to   ranks. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C.     Veteran. 
Promoted  to  Sergeant.    Killed  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  21  May,  '63. 

Discharged  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  for  disability  from  wounds  received  in 
railroad  accident  2  March,  '65.    Veteran. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  railroad  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal. 

Discharged  for  disability. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Died  at  Memphis    Tenn     of  wounds  received  May  17,  1863,  at  Black 

Abel,  Charles  

18  Feb.,  '64,  to  

River  Bridge,  Miss. 
Deserted  13  April,  '64.  at  Camp  Butler,  111. 

Ayers,  Ed»vin  C  

Champaign  Co 

5  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M   O   with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Bay,  Archippal  M. 

Warren  Co 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Promoted  Corporal      Wounded  2  March    '65     M    O.  with  the  regi 

Boden,  Henry  
Boring,  William  11  

Brax,  Gideon  
Baker,  Walter  

Brower,  James  D  

Christian  Co  — 
Green  Co  

Warren  Co  
Springfield  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Feb.,  '65  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Dec.,  '61  
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

1  Oct.,  '64,  to  1  Oct.,  '65. 

ment  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  from  wound  received  at  Reeves'  Station  ,  Mo. 
Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Wounded  2  March,   '65,   in   railroad   accident.    Discharged   with   the 
regiment.     Veteran. 

Beaty,  Joseph  A  
Berry,  Marion  
Bloomershine,  Fred  
Burford,  William  J 

Andover  
Taylorville  
Tazewell  Co  

24  March,  '64,  to  12  Oct.,  '65... 
28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
8  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Drummer. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Bailey,  James  E  
Brady,  Patrick  
Barber,  Benjamin  . 

Summerfield.  .. 
Chicago  

17  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
26  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Aug  ,  '62,  to  6  Dec  ,  '65 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Bluck,  Henry  

8  Oct.,  '64,  to  

Prisoner  of  war.    Never  joined  Company.    Transferred  from  72  Illi 
nois  July,  '65. 

120 


NAME  AND  RANK. 


PRIVATE— Continued. 

Grain,  William  H 

Crane,  Oscar  M 

Compton,  Daniel  H 

Calhoun,  Oscar  M 

Chamberlain,  James  A... 

Carter,  Alfred 

Callis,  Dorsey  S 


Cook,  Joseph  S 

Coffman,  Adam 

Clayton,  James 

Compton,  Louis 


Conner,  John 

Campbell,  Anthony... 

Campbell,  Samuel 

Carroll,  Thomas 


Dugan,  David 

Driscall,  Lewis 

Driscall,  Joseph 

Dannebarger,  John  . . 

Delay,  Jacob McDonough  Co 

Duncan,  Joseph I  Brooklyn 


RESIDENCE. 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 

"D"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 
TERM  OF  SERVICE. 


Taylorville 

Jacksonville.. . . 


Auburn 

Lebanon 

Macoupin  Co. .. 

Rochester 

Mongomery  Co 

Taylorville 

Taylorville 

Chicago 

Taylorville 


Taylorville. 
Green  Co... 
Green  Co.. 
Warren  Co  . 


Athens 

Springfield 

Springfield 

Salisbury 


Delay,  William  H 

Durbin,  John 

Everts,  Henry. . . 


Tennessee  . 
Taylorville. 
Girard... 


Rochester. 


Earles,  William Taylorville 

Elkin,  John  H I  Springfield 

Estell,  Francis Bois  d'Arc 

Estell,  William  H Rochester 

Earns,  Henry 

Farmer,  Ephraim 

Farmer,  Thomas '  Rochester. 

Fordyce,  Jacob  B j  Herndon.. . 

Fleak.  Zachariah  T j  Cairo 

Flick,  Nicholas i 

Freeman,  Alfred  W j  Herndon.. . 

George,  William Springfield 

Good,  Jasper  N Taylorville 


Ginger,  William  G 

Grady,  Robert  M 

Gobel,  Charles 

Havener,  Wesley 

Holland,  Aaron  O 

Hawk,  John  L 

Hennesy,  William 

Heanderson,  George  W  . 

Howard,  Thomas  D 

Haydcn,  Warner 

Hodgkin,  Alfred  11 

Howey,  Lewis 

Holton,  John  W 

Harris,  William  W  . . 


Taylorville 

Springfield 

Springfield 

Springfield 

Springfield 

Taylorville 

Taylorville 

Athens 

Springfield 

Athens 

Clinton 

Sangamon  Co... 

Bethel 

Springfield 


Hammond,  George  F Springfield 


Havenar,  Samuel. 


Illiopolis 


Hutchinson,  Albert  II Tennessee 

Huff,  Francis  M Macomb 

Howe,  James i  Chicago 

Homoning,  August Chicago... 

Hoot,  Ferdinand  W 

lodence,  Henry Taylorville 

Jourdan,  Alpheus  C Girard 

Jones,  Haskins    Springfield 


Jarvis,  Henry  M 

Johnson,  Augustus  C Taylorville. 


13  Feb.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . . 
29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

24  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 
13  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 

6  Nov.,  '62,  to  5  Nov.,  '65 

28  Jan.,  '65,  to  18  April,  '64.. 
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  15  April,  '64.. 

13  Feb.,  '62,  to  8  Nov.,  '62. . . 
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Jan.,  '63.. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Nov.,  '61. . . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  Nov.,  '61.. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.. 

1  March,  '62,  to  5  Sept.,  '63. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Dec.,  '61. . . 

28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 
31  March,  '64.  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 
16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 
16  Dec.,  '63,  to  10  Nov.,  '65.. 
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  22  April,  '62. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64. . 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Dec.,  '61.. 

29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

2  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
28  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 

24  March,  '64,  to 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Nov.,  '61.. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Nov..  '61.. 
16  Aug..  "61,  to  24  Oct.,  '62.. 

25  Dec.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 
18  Feb.,  '64,  to..  . 


6  Dec.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Sept.,  '65. 
13  Feb.,  '62,  to... 


13  Feb.,  '62,  to  8  March,  '65. 
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . . 
30  July,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Jan.,  '63.. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  May,  '63.. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Oct.,  62... 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.. 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.. 

I  March,  '62,  to  4  Nov.,  '62.. 

3  Oct.,  '64,  to  7  Aug.,  '65 

13  Feb.,  '62,  to  28  Feb.,  '65.. 
16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
6  April,  '64,  to  12  Oct.,  '65... 
9  Nov.,  '62,  to  31  Oct.,  '65... . 

II  Oct.,  '61,  to  11  Oct..  '64... 

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65    .  . . 
28  Feb.,  '64  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 


29  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... . 

4  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

27  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

15  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Sept.,  '63. . 
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 
15  Nov.,  '61,  to  ..  Sept.,  '63. 


Johnson,  James 1  Champaign  Co  J  2  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Kelley,  Thomas MontgomeryCo1  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Sept.,  '64. 

Kelley,  Robert Springfield [  27  March,  '64,  to  ... 


REMARKS. 


Wounded  17  May,  '63.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

Died  from  wounds  received  May  29,  1863,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  while  on 
furlough  at  Girard,  111. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Quincy,  m. 

Deserted  Nov.  8,  '62,  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Hospital.  Returned  to  Com 
pany.  Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Promoted  to  Corporal.  M.  O.  with  the  regiment.  Transferred  from 
72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Sergeant. 
Veteran. 

Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Served  by  iransfer  in  99  Illinois.  M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.  Promoted  Corporal. 

Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Hospital. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.  Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  R.  R.  accident. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     Discharged  for  disability. 

Died  at  Reeves'  Station,  Mo. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Transferred  to  99  Illinois.  M.  O.  at  expiration 
term  of  service.  Served  on  Color  Guard  1  Jan.,  '64,  to .4  July,  '64. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded  2  March,  '65. 

Sick  at  M.  O.  of  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  from  wounds  received  in  Mississippi  27  Sept.,  '62. 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Deserted  13  April,  '64,  at  Springfield,  111. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Veteran. 

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.,  2nd  Lieutenant.     Veteran. 

Deserted  from  Ironton,  Mo.,  18  Oct.  '62. 

Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Wounded.    Veteran. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  21  May,  '63, 

Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Deserted  at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  1  Feb.,  '62. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Cairo,  111. 

Died  at  Meridian,  Miss. 

Drowned  at  Tigerville,  La.    Veteran. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.     Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  railroad  accident.  M.  O.  by  expiration  term 
of  service. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.  Promoted  to  Corporal.  M.  O.  by 
expiration  term  of  service. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Wounded  May  1,  '63  and  22  May,  '63.    Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.  Promoted  Corporal.  M.  O.  with  the  regi 
ment.  Veteran. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Served  on  Color  Guard.  Discharged  for  dis 
ability  at  Carrollton,  La. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Discharged  for  disability.     Veteran. 

Prisoner  of  war.  Never  joined  company.  Transferred  from  72  Illi 
nois  July,  '65. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN   VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"D"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


121 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Lloyd,  Reuben  

Springfield  
Girard 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Nov.,  '61  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Served   by  transfer  in  99   Illinois.    M.  O.  expiration  term  of  service. 

Little,  John  
Lawson,  Oliver 

Springfield  
Arcadia,  Mo  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Nov.,  '65  
1  March,  '62,  to  29  July,  '63. 

Wounded  17  May,  '63. 
Wounded   17  May,   '63.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Veteran. 
Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Leary,  Richard 

Rochester 

28  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Leonard,  Walter 

Athens 

1  March,  '62,  to  \1  July,  '62 

Died  in  Arkansas  near  Helena. 

Ledbetter,  John.        .... 

Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

24  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Lacy,  Classon  
Lemon,  John  

Lincoln,  Edgar  K  

Salisbury  
Springfield  

Champaign  Co. 

11  Oct.,  '61,  to  21  Oct.,  '61  
11  Oct.,  '61,  to  4  Nov.,  '63  

6  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton.  Mo. 
Promoted   Corporal.    Wounded  severely  17  May,  '63,  at   Black  River 
Bridge.  Miss.    Discharged  for  wounds  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Lewis,  Augustus  M  

Somers  

15  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Lewis,  John  N. 

Somers  

15  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Merriwether,  James  H 

Feb.,  '65,  to       Aug.,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,   Miss.    Wounded  at  Spanish 

Martin,  John  

Springfield  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  ..  Oct.,  '62  

Fort,  Ala.,  and  2  March,  '65. 
Discharged  at  Cairo,  111.,  for  disability. 

Martin,  William  J  

Springfield  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  1')  Dec.,  '62 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Martin,  Isaac  
Melvin,  John  B 

Springfield  
Girard 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  March,  '65 

Wounded  2  March,   '65.    Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged   with  the 
regiment.    Veteran. 
Killed  in  railroad  accident  in  Louisiana  March  2,  '65. 

Matthews,  Daniel  C  
Moore,  William  R  . 

Taylorville  
Hillsboro.. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Jan.,  '65.  ... 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Dec.,  '62 

Died  while  home  on  furlough.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  for  disability. 

Morgan,  Parthus  
McCoy,  Alfred. 

Springfield  
Taylorville 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  July,  '65.  ... 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  April,  '62 

Discharged  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  for  disability.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Reeves'  Station,  Mo. 

Michael,  Lucas. 

Taylorville. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  May,  '63 

Killed  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  20  May,  '63. 

McDonald,  James. 

Illiopolis.. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Jan.,  '63 

Died  at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

Morgan,  Oscar  B  .. 

Mulberry  Grove 

21  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

McCullough,  Hugh 

Schuyler  Co 

27  Oct.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Mitchel,  Robert  

Bushnell  

28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Marmion,  Henry  J. 

10  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec..  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Mosteller,  John. 

Pleasant  Plains. 

25  July,  '64,  to  10  Aug.,  '65 

Mustered  out  expiration  term  of  service. 

Moore,  John  

Sugar  Grove  .  .  . 

1  Oct.,  '64,  to  4  Oct.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  expiration  term  service. 

Miller,  Charles  

McCoy,  Samuel  
McGlasson,  Ira  P 

Taylorville  

Springfield  
Petersburg.. 

13  Feb.,  '62,  to  12  Jan.,  '65  .... 

1  March,  '62,  to  20  Aug.,  '62.  .  . 
1  March,  '62,  to  28  Sept.,  '6"* 

Wounded  17  May,  '63,  at  Black  River,  Miss.    Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 
Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  wounds  received  27  Sept.,  '63,  in  Mississippi. 

McClendon,  Joseph  F. 

Chicago  

18  Nov.,  '63,  to 

Sick.     Never  joined   company.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Mack,  John..   . 

28  July,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  Julv,  '65. 

Miller,  John. 

27  March,  '64,  to 

Absent  sick.     Never  joined   company.    Transferred   from  72  Illinois 

Noe,  John  C. 

Taylorville. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

July,  '65. 
Deserted  29  Nov.,  '61.     Returned  to  company  10  Aug.,  '64.     M.  O.  with 

Netz,  Enslem  .  . 

Hillsboro.. 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to 

the  regiment. 
Deserted  25  Nov.,  '62,  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Nettleton,  Stephen.. 

Springfield  

11  Oct.,  '61,  to  14  Nov.,  '63 

Wounded  May  22,  '63,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Died  in  New  Orleans,  La. 

Nixon,  Joseph  
Nye,  Edward  Q 

Chicago  
Somers  

19  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
12  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.   . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

Nelson,  Daniel  

Chicago  

13  Jan.,  '64,  to 

Absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

O'Bryant,  George  Y. 

Lebanon 

5  Feb.,  '64,  to  . 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Deserted  8  Oct.,  '65. 

Olden,  Edward  A 

Brighton.. 

21  Feb.,  '65,  to  27  Oct.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Orr,  John  N  .... 

McLean  Co  

6  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

O'Shanesy,  John  

23  Dec.,  '63,  to  3  Oct.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Orr,  Alfred  

Clinton. 

.  1  Oct.,  '64,  to  1  Oct.,  '65. 

Transferred  from   124   Illinois  Julv,  '65.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 

Perrings,  Charles  

Girard 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

service. 
Promoted   to  Corporal.    Reduced   to   ranks.    Wounded   22  May,   '63. 

Pelham,  Daniel  C  
Pherrigo,  Nap.  B.. 

Salisbury  
Taylorville 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  from  expiration  term  of  service.    Served  by  transfer 
in  99  Illinois. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.  Discharged  with  the  regiment.  Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Painter,  Hiram  H 

Bear  Creek..   . 

28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Pettibone,  Sanford  H  
Pyle,  William  A  

Livingston  Co.. 
McDonough  Co 

6  Jan.,  '65,  to  
28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  wounds  received  2  March,  '65,  in 
railroad  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Pugh,  Elzy  
Pike,  Thomas  
Pennock,  John  
Paddock,  Lemuel  

Blueville  
Springfield  
Will  Co  

31  March,  '64,  to  1  Aug.,  '64.  .. 
13  Feb.,  '62,  to  22  June,  '63.  ... 
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
13  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.     Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Reed,  James  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  April,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Robinson,  George  W 

Taylorville.  .  . 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Oct.,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Regan,  Timothy  
Ross,  John  W 

Taylorville  
Richland  . 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  May,  '63 

Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63. 

Richards,  Joseph  H  
Richards,  John  T.. 

Macomb  
Macomb.  .  .  . 

29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .   .  . 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Rosengrant,  Hiram  11  
Ryall,  John  

Springfield  
Rock  Creek. 

15  Nov.,  '61,  to  12  Sept.,  '64.  .  . 
4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Promoted    to    Corporal;    Sergeant;    1st    Sergt.    Promoted    Captain. 
Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

1(5 


122 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 

"D"  COMP^llVr  ROSTER-Continucd. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 


RESIDENCE. 


TERM  OF  SERVICE. 


REMARKS. 


PRIVATE — Continued. 

Simondson,  Thor 

Smith,  George 

Smith,  Henry 

Shaw,  Henry 

Scantlin,  James 

Shelton,  Joseph 

Schorndorf,  Charles 

Savage,  John  J 

Sullivan,  Michael  O 

Sheets,  George  R 


Taylorville :  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  March,  '62., 

Taylorville |  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  March,  '63. 

Taylorville j  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Jan.,  '64... 

Taylorville 16  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Oct.,  '65... 

Athens |  1  March,  '62,  to  27  May,  '63  . . . 

Athens j  1  March,  '62,  to  22  March,  '65, 

Taylorville j  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Sept.,  '65 

i  9  Aug.,  '62,  to  20  Sept.,  '65.... 

19  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. .. 

28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. .. 


Bushnell... 


Bushnell 

Taylorville. 


29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . 

13  Feb.,  '62,  to  9  April,  '63.... 

Smith,  John  W j  Urbana i  5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Smith,  William  S !  Champaign !  5  Jan. ,'64,  to  6  Dec., '65. ..  . 

Spencer,  Charles i j  20  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 


Stanton,  James. 
Taff,  James  W.. 
Travis,  Robert.. 


Taylor,  John  W. 


Taylorville 


Twitchell,  Almon  D... 

Thomas,  James 

Thompson,  Daniel  ... 

Ulmer,  Frederick Summerfield.. . . 

Vogler,  John Summerfield.. . . 


Springfield 


3  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65..  . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Oct.,  '61. 


Girard j  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Aug.,  '65. . . 


Springfield 13  Feb., '62,  to  6  Dec., '65. . 


Macomb 


Webster,  Daniel. 
Webster,  Floyd.. 


Willis,  James  D 

Willis,  Adam 


Girard 16  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  May,  '63. 

Girard 16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.. 


Springfield 

Springfield 


Wallace,  Charles Taylorville 

Warrick,  Alfred  W j  MontgomeryCo 

Wackerly,  George '  llliopolis 


Wear,  James  M 

Waldon,  Joseph 

Webster,  Walter  E.... 
Woodruff,  James  B... 
Yockey,  Frederick — 


McDonough  Co 

Taylorville 

Litchfield 

Athens 

Bloomington. .. 


16  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  June,  '65. . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  March,  '65. . 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Nov.,  '61 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  May,  '63. .. 

16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

1  March,  '62,  to  2  Inarch,  '65. 
7  March,  '64,  to  2  March,  '65. 
1  March,  '62,  to  8  Dec.,  '62... 
22  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . 


Shannon,  Edward j 28  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 

Swigart,  Zachariah... 
Shaw,  Montgomery.. 


26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

13  Feb.,  '62,  to  17  Sept.,  '64.... 
18  Feb.,  '64,  to  25  Sept.,  '64. ... 
17  March,  '65,  to  10  Nov.,  '65.. 
17  March,  '65,  to  23  Oct.,  '65. . 


Warren,  Thomas Girard.. !  16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 


Discharged  for  promotion  to  1st  Lieutenant  in  15th  Wis.  Infty. 

Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Discharged  for  wounds  received  22  May,  '63. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability.    Veteran. 

Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  for  wounds  received  22  May,  '63. 

Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability.   Promoted  Corporal,  Color  Guard.    Veteran. 

Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois,  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Discharged  for  disability. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Discharged  for  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  and 
2  March,  '65.  Veteran. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Wounded  2  March,  '65.  M.  O.  with  the  regi 
ment  as  Sergeant.  Veteran. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.     Discharged  for  disability. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Discharged  with  regiment  as  1st  Sergeant. 
Veteran. 

Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  of  wounds  received  22  A^ay,  '63. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.  Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  and  in  R.  R. 
accident  2  March,  '65.  Veteran. 

Died  at  sea  from  wounds  received  2  March,  '65.    Veteran. 

Died  from  wounds  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  received  in  R.  R.  accident  2 
March,  '65.  Veteran. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Deserted  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  18  Sept.,  '61. 

Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  of  wounds  received  22  May,  '63. 

Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  in  Louisiana  near  Boutee  Station. 

Killed  in  railroad  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 

Discharged  for  disabilitv  at  Cairo,  111. 

Wounded  2  March,  '65,  in  railroad  accident.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


123 


CAPTAIN  LYMAN  M.  PRATT. 
"E"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  M.  BYRAM. 
"E"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  JULIAN  E.  BRYANT. 
"E"  COMPANY. 


124 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS.- 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT  EDWARD  MARSH. 
"E"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  HARRISON  DWIRE 
"E"  COMPANY. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  ALBERT  CAUFFMAN. 
"E"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


125 


SKETCH  OF  "E"  COMPANY. 

BY  JAMES  N.  BUTLER. 


This  company  was  raised  mostly  from  Bureau  and 
Knox  counties,  Illinois.  The  young  men  who  came 
together  to  form  this  organization  were  not  fortune 
seekers,  nor  were  they  lured  into  this  movement  by  a 
desire  for  notoriety  or  glory,  nor  were  they  adventurers 
in  the  commonly  accepted  sense ;  they  came  from  the 
schoolroom,  where  th?y  were  serving  as  teachers  or 
students ;  from  the  store,  the  shop  and  largely  from  the 
farm.  They  were  all  reared  in  homes  where  they  had 
always  breathed  an  atmosphere  of  peace;  war,  therefore, 
was  foreign  to  their  natures  and  entirely  out  of  har 
mony  with  their  environment,.  Under  such  conditions 
came  Lincoln's  second  call  for  300,000  more  volunteer 
soldiers,  and  it  went  straight  to  the  open  heart  of  every 
one  of  these  men,  some  of  them  not  yet  out  of  boy 
hood's  ranks. 

It  is  well,  perhaps,  to  call  attention  to  the  cause,  or 
at  least  the  principal  cause,  that  brought  on  this  con 
flict.  Not  that  we  did  not  know  at  the  time,  and 
have  not  realized  since,  but  lest  we  forget  and  therefore 
fail  to  profit  by  this  terrible  lesson,  let  us  briefly  go 
over  the  ground  again.  This  nation  was  born  bearing 
this  birthmark:  "Equal  rights  for  all  men."  That 
mark  has  never  been  obliterated,  but  its  meaning  has 
been  shamefully  misconstrued  and  its  spirit  misap 
plied.  The  slave-holding  oligarchy  attempted  to  re 
strict  its  application  to  the  white  man  only ;  for  a  time 
the  nation  acquiesced  in  this  great  wrong,  but  was 
finally  made  to  realize  that  the  God  of  Justice  neither 
slumbers  nor  sleeps,  and  that  the  nation,  as  well  as  the 
individual,  that  trifles  with  the  eternal  principles  of 
right,  does  it  at  its  peril.  The  irrepressible  conflict  be 
tween  right  and  wrong  in  this  case  reached  a  crisis  in 
18(51,  the  overt  act  being  the  firing  on  Fort  Sumter. 
The  gun  that  fired  that  first  shot  tore  in  pieces  the  veil 
and  cleared  away  the  mist  that  hid  from  the  nation's 
view  the  real  character  of  that  hideous  monster,  Hu 
man  Slavery.  The  nation's  moral  awakening  came  in 
successive  steps;  first,  it  was  opposition  to  secession; 
next,  love  of  the  Union  ;  and  last  and  best,  loyalty  to 
human  rights. 

Those  who  responded  to  the  first  call  for  7o,000  vol 
unteers  may  have  been  influenced  to  some  extent  by 
the  glamour  of  a  military  career,  but  when  the  mem 
bers  of  Company  E  enlisted  all  the  romance  of  army 
life  had  disappeared.  It  was  right  after  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run  and  Wilson's  Creek,  which  had  dissipated 
all  the  gala-day  features  of  war  and  left  in  their  stead  a 


dark  and  dismal  pall  which  settled  down  over  all  the 
land,  and  every  recruit  who  signed  the  muster  roll  at 
that  time  realized,  to  some  extent  at  least,  the  serious 
nature  of  the  conflct  into  which  he  was  about  to  enter; 
and  perhaps  at  no  other  time  during  their  service  was 
the  outlook  more  depressing  than  at  the  time  of  enlist 
ment ;  but  notwithstanding  this  fact  they  \verethen, 
as  al\vay,s  afterward,  conspicuous  for  their  cheerfulness 
and  courage. 

The  Knox  county  contingent  of  what  was  finally  to 
become  Company  E,  33rd  Illinois,  was  enlisted  mostly 
at  Galesburg,  although  they  came  from  all  parts  of  the 
county,  the  town  of  Abingdon  furnishing  a  goodly 
number,  and  several  came  from  Warren  county,  adjoin 
ing  Knox  county  on  the  west.  It  may  have  been 
known  to  some  how  we  came  to  be  sent  to  Bloomington  ; 
probably  it  is  not  known  at  this  time;  but  it  can  only 
be  regarded  as  a  piece  of  good  fortune,  for  there  we  met 
the  Bureau  county  boys,  and  together  we  became  Com 
pany  E.  Our  stay  at  Bloomington  was  short;  dates  in 
this  case  are  unimportant,  and  one  writing  from  mem 
ory  after  forty-one  years  has  elapsed  cannot  hope  to  re 
tain  dates  very  well.  We  were  quartered  in  a  hall  and 
fed  at  a  hotel,  and  did  our  first  drilling  and  marching 
in  the  public  squares  and  streets  of  the  city,  and  about 
the  last  of  August  were  sent  to  Camp  Butler,  near 
Springfield,  where  we  met  the  other  companies  which 
made  up  the  33rd  Illinois  or  Normal  Regiment,  as  it 
was  commonly  called,  although  we  had  several  nom  do 
guerres,  such  as  "Brain  Regiment",  "Crack  Brain 
Regiment",  etc.  ;  but  these  were  only  endearing  terms 
such  as  a  mother  uses  when  she  calls  her  child 
"Honey",  or  such  as  a  fellow  uses  when  he  calls  his 
best  girl  "Lovie-dovie". 

Our  company  organization  was  completed  by  the 
•  election  of  Isaac  H.  Elliott  Captain,  Clarendon  A. 
Stone  1st  Lieutenant,  Julian  E.  Bryant  2nd  Lieutenant, 
and  George  G.  Foster  1st  Sergeant.  Elliott  and  Bryant 
were  from  Bureau  county,  and  Stone  and  Foster  from 
Knox  county.  Memory  does  not  serve  me  well  enough 
to  state  with  any  degree  of  accuracy  whether  the  other 
non-commissioned  officers  of  the  company  were  elected 
or  appointed  ;  that,  however  is  not  so  important  as  to 
know  that  from  Captain  to  eighth  Corporal  we  had  a 
most  excellent  corps  of  officers,  many  of  whom  pos 
sessed  the  ability  to  have  planned  and  successfully  con 
ducted  the  most  difficult  military  campaigns,  but  to 
whom  the  opportunity  never  came. 


126 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS'. 


Our  stay  at  Camp  Butler  gave  us  our  first  camp  life 
experience.  We  were  quartered  on  new  ground  covered 
with  brush  and  a  few  trees  of  varying  sizes,  which  we 
had  to  clear  away  for  our  tents;  this,  with  sleeping  on 
the  ground,  was  something  entirely  new  to  most  of  us, 
and  the  novelty  of  it  was  quite  charming.  There  was 
one  feature  of  this  camp  life  of  ours  that  was  not  so 
charming,  and  that  was  our  first  experience  in  cooking. 
We  could  have  cleared  away  brush,  cut  down  trees,  dug 
trenches,  slept  on  the  ground,  or  committed  heroism 
in  any  other  form  uncomplainingly,  if  we  could  only 
have  been  served  with  our  mothers'  good  victuals  three 
times  a  day.  There  comes  a  time  in  the  life  of  nearly 
every  individual,  and  especially  in  the  life  of  a  volun 
teer  soldier,  when  he  discovers  how  much  his  stomach 
has  to  do  with  his  patriotism,  religion,  and  politics. 
My  thoughts  never  go  back  to  this  particular  event, 
with  its  big  black  camp  kettles  and  villianous  food, 
that  they  do  not  leave  a  dark  brown  taste,  in  my.  mouth. 
These  conditions  brought  on  the  inevitable  camp  sick 
ness  with  which  almost  every  soldier  is  initiated  into 
army  life,  and  it  is  probably  safe  to  say  that  there  were 
more  cases  of  homesickness  during  the  three  weeks  we 
were  at  Camp  Butler  than  all  the  balance  of  the  three 
year  enlistment  period.  But  the  law  of  compensation, 
which  seems  to  be  all  pervading,  came  to  our  relief  in 
this  case.  For  our  physical  discomforts  there  was  pro 
vided  an  antidote  in  the  form  of  new  friendships  and  at 
tachments  which  have  increased  in  value  in  a  progres 
sive  ratio  to  the  years  that  have  gone  by. 

We  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
August  30th,  and  started  for  the  front  September  IDth, 
1861.  The  next  morning  after  leaving  Camp  Butler  we 
crossed  the  Mississippi  River  at  St.  Louis  and  soon 
found  ourselves  on  board  ordinary  flat  cars  and  en  route 
for  Pilot  Knob,  Missouri,  over  the  Iron  Mountain  rail 
road,  which  place  we  reached  that  afternoon,  or  rather, 
we  reached  Ironton,  which  was  the  end  of  the  road. 
Here  we  received  our  arms  and  equipments,  and  a  day 
or  two  afterward  Company  E  began  its  first  real  sol 
diering  by  being  sent  back  on  the  railroad  to  guard  the 
Big  River  Bridge  and  other  points  that  were  deemed 
important. 

"Seedy"  Morris,  in  speaking  of  that  equipment  says: 
"The  guns  were  converted  flint  lock  Austrian  muskets. 
They  were  heavy,  unwieldy  affairs,  that  were  fed  upon 
ball  and  buck  shot  and  primed  with  a  little  copper- 
covered  stick  of  percussion,  with  a  small  twisted  wire 
at  the  end  of  it  in  place  of  a  gun  cap.  They  were  dais 
ies;  the  most  ingenious  man  in  the  world  would  never 
have  thought  of  them  ;  but  the  old  guns  would  shoot, 
provided  you  did  not  get  the  wire  end  stuck  in  the 
prime  hole.  They  would  always  let  you  know  when  a 
load  went  out.  They  'kinder'  came  back  like  as  if  for 
another  dose.  I  remember  Sergeant  Lyman  Pratt  tak 
ing  a  squad  of  us  out  one  evening  to  practice  firing,  and 
to  set  the  example  he  gravely  loaded  his  piece,  then 
with  great  dignity  and  military  precision  fired  at  the 
target.  He  immediately  began  to  wipe  great  drops  of 


blood  from  his  nose  and  cheek.  This  was  undoubtedly 
the  first  blood  of  the  campaign." 

It  has  always  seemed  one  of  the  inscrutable  mysteries 
of  Providence  that  Jeff  Thompson,  with  his  three  or 
four  thousand  men  who  were  prowling  around  in  the 
vicinity  of  this  road,  did  not  capture  the  33rd  when,  a 
few  days  before,  it  went  through  unarmed  and  defense 
less  to  Ironton. 

Our  business  now  was  to  scout  around  through 
the  country  and  guard  the  railroad.  The  bridge 
across  Black  river  (which  stream  parallels  the  Mis 
sissippi  river  for  a  distance  of  fifty  or  sixty  miles,  and 
runs  in  exactly  the  opposite  direction,  although  they 
are  not  more  than  sixteen  miles  apart  in  places)  was 
the  most  important  point  on  the  line.  Companies  B 
and  K  at  Lawson's,  Bailey's  Station,  and  Victoria,  were 
wings  of  this  little  army,  Company  E  being  the  center. 
On  the  northeast  side  of  Black  river  the  railroad  reaches 
the  bridge  by  a  deep  cut  through  a  narrow  rocky  ridge; 
this  ridge  gradually  ascends  and  widens  toward  the 
southeast,  and  gradually  recedes  and  narrows  towards 
the  northwest.  The  river  side  of  this  ridge  is  very 
steep  and  was  covered  at  that  time  with  a  dense  growth 
of  small  cedars.  The  top  had  been  cleared  for  some 
distance  southeast  from  the  railroad  cut,  and  on  the 
side  opposite  or  away  from  the  river  ran  a  ravine ;  on 
the  southeasterly  side  of  the  railroad  cut  and  on  the  top 
of  this  ridge  Company  E  went  into  camp.  The  com- 
pa-ny  remained  all  together  here  for  a  few  days,  when  a 
part  of  it,  under  Lieutenant  Bryant,  was  sent  to  De- 
Soto,  about  five  miles  north  ;  and  later  a  small  squad 
was  sent  to  Blackwell's  Station,  two  or  three  miles  to 
the  south  and  across  the  river. 

We  were  now  in  the  enemy's  country,  and  thence 
forth  shaped  our  course  accordingly.  Our  camps  were 
guarded  day  and  night,  and  we  never  went  outside  our 
picket  line  without  being  prepared  for  war,  either  ag 
gressive  or  defensive,  and  we  almost  involuntarily 
adopted  the  creed  of  warfare,  viz:  "Everything  is  fair 
in  war."  I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  saying  or 
intimating  that  Company  E  was  unusually  cruel  or 
barbarous,  for  it  would  have  been  hard  to  find  another 
company  in  all  the  armies  of  the  Civil  War  where  the 
Christian  spirit  had  done  so  much  towards  correcting 
and  modifying  the  cruel  and  barbarous  instincts  and 
propensities  that  lie  at  the  bottom  of  all  warfare.  But 
warfare  is  essentially  cruel  and  barbarous,  and  cannot 
be  indulged  in  except  at  a  sacrifice  of  humane  and 
Christian  principle. 

By  a  process  of  reasoning  known  only  to  the  soldier, 
we  quickly  reached  the  conclusion  that  everything  we 
wanted  was  "contraband  of  war",  and  although  general 
orders  sometimes  ran  contra  to  this  general  conclusion, 
general  conclusion  stood  and  general  orders  became  ob 
solete.  The  first  raid  of  any  consequence  made  by  the 
company  was  on  the  Higanbotham  plantation,  an  ac 
count  of  which  will  probably  be  given  in  the  regi 
mental  history.  The  writer  of  this  sketch  acted  as  mes 
senger  between  Big  River  Bridge  and  DeSoto,  but  be- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


127 


longed  with  the  portion  of  the  company  under  Lieu 
tenant  Bryant  at  DeSoto.  Here  we  had  very  comfort 
able  quarters  in  a  log  stable  which  we  cleaned  out  and 
fixed  up  with  bunks  something  like  a  Pullman  palace 
sleeping  car;  indeed,  there  Avere  a  number  of  features 
about  this  abode  of  ours  similar  to  a  Pullman  ;  it  had 
upper  and  lower  berths,  a  door  at  each  end,  and  a  por 
ter—John  M.  I  do  not  remember  that  it  had  windows 
in  the  sides,  and  T  know  it  was  not  on  wheels;  we 
cheerfully  give  George  M.  Pullman  credit  for  adding 
these  features  to  the  sleeping  car. 

At  one  of  our  meetings  (not  a  prayer-meeting)  at 
which  we  usually  considered  "the  state  of  the  Union", 
we  were  discussing  the  food  question,  and,  looking  at 
it  from  a  sanitary  standpoint,  we  unanimously  decided 
that  we  ought  to  have  some  fresh  meat.  A  committee 
of  two,  consisting  of  Abe  Bonnell  and  the  writer,  was 
appointed  to  thoroughly  investigate  and  make  a  satis 
factory  report  at  an  early  date.  It  was  dangerous  to 
get  outside  our  picket  lines,  on  account  of  bushwhack 
ers,  and  the  chickens  and  turkeys  roosted  too  high  for 
us  anywhere  near  camp;  the  Missouri  hog  seemed  to 
offer  the  only  feasible  solution  to  the  fresh  meat  prob 
lem.  A  few  of  them  had  contracted  the  habit  of  com 
ing  about  our  quarters  every  day  to  pick  up  something 
to  eat,  and  information,  perhaps.  The  committee  de 
cided  to  regard  them  as  spies,  and  capture  the  most  de 
sirous  and  dangerous  of  them,  and  laid  ouT^plans  ac 
cordingly.  Bonnell  was  to  take  some  corn  and  throw 
it  out  to  them,  an  ear  at  a  time,  and  while  they  were 
engaged  in  a  scramble  for  it  I  was  to  slip  up  from  be 
hind- and  seize  one  of  them  and  hold  on  till  Bonnell 
could  come  to  my  assistance.  Our  plans  worked  out 
admirably;  I  seized  one  of  them  by  the  legs,  but  might 
as  well  have  fastened  on  to  a  Missouri  mule.  As  a 
first-class  kicker  that  hog  must  have  been  the  champion 
of  his  time.  We  captured  the  hog,  but  when  we  came 
out  of  the  melee  I  discovered  there  was  something 
wrong  with  my  neck  from  which  I  suffered,  intensely 
at  times,  for  months  afterwards. 

Soon  after  this  little  episode  it  was  reported  to  Lieu 
tenant  Bryant  that  there  was  a  rebel  recruiting  station 
at  a  plantation  some  eight  or  ten  miles  to  the  east  of 
our  camp,  so  a  squad  of  fifteen  men,  Lieutenant  Bry 
ant  in  command,  made  a  raid  the  next  night,  expecting 
to  capture  some  rebel  recruits,  and  perhaps  arms;  but 
the  recruits  got  wind  of  our  coming  and  tied.  We  found 
no  arms,  but  we  did  find  a  smokehouse  and  some  bee 
gums,  and  captured  them  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 
A  few  were  wounded  in  the  charge  on  the  bee  gums; 
the  writer  was  stung  in  the  mouth  — never  knew  just 
how  it  happened.  We  were  scouting  about  the  country 
almost  every  day  while  we  remained  on  duty  guarding 
the  railroad. 

The  position  of  Company  E  at  the  bridge  was  admir 
ably  adapted  for  defensive  operations,  and  could  have 
been  made  almost  impregnable.  Had  Captain  Elliott 
been  placed  here  two  years  later,  with  the  experience 
he  had  then  gained,  Jeff  Thomson  would  have  found 


the  capture  of  that  heroic  little  band  a  much  tougher 
proposition  than  he  did  on  October  15th,  1861  ;  but  with 
no  experience  and  the  most  wretched  old  muskets,  it  is 
doubtful  if  a  more  gallant  and  stubborn  fight  was  ever 
made  against  such  overwhelming  odds.  From  the  best 
information  obtainable,  a  conservative  estimate  of  Jeff 
Thompson's  army  was  fifteen  hundred  men,  while 
Company  E  had  only  forty.  Here  was  shed  the  first 
blood;  here  was  given  the  first  life  from  the  33rd  Illi 
nois  to  the  cause  to  which  we  had  dedicated  our  all. 
George  G.  Foster  was  our  first  great  sacrifice  on  the 
altar  of  Liberty  and  Union.  From  this  sterile,  rocky 
ridge  ascended  a  soul  that  was  one  of  God's  choicest 
gifts  to  the  world.  The  scene  that  met  our  vision  at 
the  close  of  this  short  but  hard-fought  battle  was  an  un 
pleasant  introduction  to  the  realities  of  war.  There, 
stretched  on  the  ground,  was  the  lifeless  body  of  our 
beloved  Foster ;  about  us,  in  different  attitudes,  were 
seven  of  our  wounded  comrades;  no  one  knew  how  ser 
ious  were  their  wounds,  some  might  prove  fatal.  It 
was  a  new  and  trying  experience.  Some  of  us  thought, 
if  we  did  not  say  it,  "If  this  is  war,  God  save  us  from 
much  of  it !" 

One  incident  of  this  engagement  is  well  worth  relat 
ing—it  is  one  of  many.  Robert  R.  Crawford,  who  en 
listed  from  Bureau  county,  was  among  the  wounded 
and  captured,  and,  like  others,  lost  everything  of  value. 
Crawford's  loss  consisted  of  a  sum  of  money,  a  valua 
ble  watch,  a  Masonic  emblem,  and,  most  highly  valued 
by  him,  a  Bible,  the  gift  of  a  sister  when  he  enlisted. 
Mr.  Crawford,  wounded  as  he  was,  fought  desperately 
to  save  these,  but  was  forced  at  the  muz/le  of  a  revolver 
to  relinquish  them.  The  most  interesting  part  of  this 
story  is  that  thirty-seven  years  afterwards  a  daughter 
of  the  Confederate  soldier  who  took  these  greatly  prized 
articles  from  Mr.  Crawford  returned  them,  accompan 
ied  b3T  a  very  nice,  kind  and  patriotic  letter.  The  letter 
in  part  is  as  follows  : 

"Barrell,  (/ape  Girardeau  county,  Missouri, 

Sept.  14th,  1898. 
"Mr.  R.  R.  Crawford,  Hillsboro,  Ind. 

"Dear  Sir:  — It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  restore  to 
your  hands  the  little  Bible  which  my  father  gave  to  me 
shortly  after  the  battle  at  Big  River  Bridge.  Perhaps 
it  was  given  you  by  some  dear  one  long  since  passed 
into  the  great  beyond.  My  one  regret  concerning  it  is 
that  1  did  not  write  long  ago — years  ago — when  it  first 
entered  my  heart  to  find  the  mother  of  the  boy  whom  I 
supposed  to  have  fallen  a  victim  to  war. 

"So  far  as  I  know  of  our  folks,  not  a  relative  draws  a 
pension,  from  which  you  wijl  see  we  were  all  rebels. 
My  mother,  however,  was  never  in  favor  of  secession. 
While  we  young  folks  were  southern  because  all  our 
young  friends  were,  we  knew  but  little  of  the  real  pur 
pose  of  the  war,  ancf,  with  maturer  years,  I  think,  were 
it  to  be  gone  over,  my  .ideas  would  have  drawn  me  to 
the  side  which  set  free  its  millions  of  slaves. 
Should  you  meet  with  the  few  remaining  rebels,  they 


128 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


will  give  you  as  rousing  a  welcome  as  their  meeting  at 
Big  River  was  unwelcome  to  you.  *  Should 

you  ever  come  to  Missouri  we  will  be  glad  to  meet  you 
in  our  humble  country  home.  We  are  plain,  old-fash 
ioned  country  people,  with  but  few  advantages,  and 
none  of  the  elegant  luxuries  that  go  to  make  up  the 
ideal  country  homes  of  the  more  favored  places,  but  the 
latch  string  hangs  on  the  outside,  and  we  will  make 
you  welcome.  The  return  of  your  Bible  thirty- 

seven    years    later    is   something    unusual.     You    must 
make  it  the  occasion  of  a  family. reunion.     * 
"With  best  wishes  to  you  and  yours,  I  remain, 

Yours  truly,  MARY  A.  BEAN." 

After  the  capture  of  Captain  Elliott  and  his  com 
mand,  the  remainder  of  Company  E,  under  Lieutenant 
Bryant,  were  sent  to  Victoria,  and  after  staying  there  a 
few  weeks  we  were  sent  to  Lawson's  Station.  All  of 
that  portion  of  Missouri  was  settled  by  the  French  two 
centuries  before  the  Civil  War,  and  the  present  occu 
pants  of  the  soil  were  largely  descendants  of  the  original 
settlers.  The  male  portion  were  mostly  disloyal  and 
away  in  the  Confederate  army,  but  the  female  portion 
were  at  home,  and  the  soldier  boys  found  the  pretty 
French  girls  very  agreeable  company,  and  as  a  rule  not 
very  strongly  opposed  to  the  Union  idea.  Had  the  set 
tlement  of  the  war  questions  been  left  to  Company  E 
boys  and  these  French  girls,  it  would  not  have  lasted 
two  months.  There  would  have  been  a  short,  sharp, 
and  sanguinary  engagement,  and  then  the  Union  would 
have  been  safe.  It  seemed  for  a  time  as  though  a  clash 
at  arms  could  not  be  averted  between  George  Kendall 
and  Cal.  Lawson,  daughter  of  Colonel  Lawson,  after 
whom  the  Station  was  named.  However,  cruel  fate  in 
the  form  of  orders  to  go  to  the  front  separated  this  ar 
dent  couple.  George  can  tell  the  rest.  On  Christmas 
day  these  nice  French  girls  brought  us  a  lot  of  persim 
mons  for  a  Christmas  present.  People  who  know  all 
about  persimmons  need  no  description  of  them,  but  for 
the  benefit  of  those  who  do  not,  it  is  well  to  say  that 
persimmons,  when  they  are  fit  to  look  at,  are  not  fit  to 
eat,  and  when  they  are  fit  to  eat  they  are  not  fit  to  look 
at ;  we  ate  the  persimmons  and  looked  at  the  pretty 
French  girls. 

Toward  spring  we  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Arcadia 
and  found  the  army  at  that  point  making  preparations 
to  march  ;  no  one  seemed  to  know  where,  nor  to  care 
much,  so  we  marched.  Our  stay  there  was  short  and 
uneventful  and  in  the  main  quiet,  except  that  a  feeling 
of  restlessness  and  impatience  to  go  to  the  front  had 
taken  possession  of  every  soldier  in  the  camp;  the  war 
.spirit  was  irrepressible,  a^id  was  bound  to  manifest  it 
self  in  some  way.  As  a  rule  our  own  boys  were  very 
peaceably  inclined  toward  each  other;  occasionally  the 
pent-up  forces  of  patriotism,  etc.,  became  ungovern 
able,  and  there  was  an  outbreak.  Nature  has  provided 
that  when  two  opposites  come  together  in  chemistry, 
after  a  little  engagement  (usually  of  a  lively  nature) 
both  elements  lose  their  distinctive  characteristics  and 


unite  to  form  a  new  substance.  The  same  law  seems  to 
govern  when  two  men  of  opposite  temperaments  come 
together.  In  Company  E  this  law  found  verification 
in  the  persons  of  Daniel  H.  Graves  and  George  H. 
Monroe;  they  were  opposites  in  every  sense  of  the  word 
— stature  as  well  as  temperament— and  it  seemed  neces 
sary  for  them  to  go  through  the  chemical  procese. 
Without  writing  a  preface  to  the  story,  we  will  state 
that  Graves  was  long  and  Monroe  was  short,  and  they 
came  together  during  the  breakfast  hour  one  morning 
in  our  winter  quarters.  This  engagement  was  not  con 
ducted  according  to  military  tactics,  nor  was  it  fought 
after  Marquis  of  Queensbury  rules;  competent  judges 
would  very  likely  decide  that  gooseberry  rules  govern 
ed.  It  was  a  sort  of  horizontal  and  perpendicular  af 
fair;  Graves  swung  his  arms  and  fists  out  horizontally, 
and  Monroe  jumped  up  perpendicularly,  which  he  had 
to  do  to  reach  Graves's  face,  which  seemed  to  be  the 
point  he  was  firing  at.  Armstrong  guns  were  used. 
The  fight  lasted  till  the  ammunition  was  exhausted; 
none  killed,  two  wounded.  When  the  comrades  gather 
round  our  campfires  and  tell  the  story  o'er  and  o'er  of 
the  long  and  wearisome  marches  and  hard-fought  bat 
tles,  none  fills  our  souls  with  such— hilarity,  as  does 
this  Arcadia  engagement. 

As  spring  approached  rumors  began  to  fly  thicker 
and  faster  that  the  Arcadia  forces  were  to  be  started 
southward.  After  a  winter  spent  in  the  most  persistent 
efforts,  Captain  Elliott  had  finally  succeeded  in  effect 
ing  an  exchange  for  that  portion  of  the  company  cap 
tured  at  Big  River  Bridge,  but  not  until  many  of  the 
captured  men  had  been  discharged  by  order  of  General 
Halleck.  This  was  on  account  of  the  wording  of  the 
parole  given,  which  stated  that  "the  men  would  not 
take  up  arms  against  the  Confederate  States"  ;  the 
words  "until  exchanged"  were  not  in  the  parole. 
Hence  the  discharge  from  the  service  of  all  men  taking 
such  a  parole.  Let  it  be  said  to  the  credit  of  E  Com 
pany  that  the  men  thus  discharged  did  not  ask  for  them 
nor  knew  why  the  discharges  were  issued.  The  cap 
tured  men  not  discharged  by  General  Halleck's  order  re 
joined  the  regiment  at  Arcadia  in  the  last  days  of  Feb 
ruary,  and  on  the  first  day  of  March,  18(>2,  the  army  at 
that  place  broke  camp  and  started  southward. 

It  was  a  grand  gala  day  for  the  soldiers.  The  scenes 
and  incidents  of  that  first  day's  march  of  five  miles  will 
be  the  last  thing  to  be  effaced  from  the  memory  of  its 
participants  ;  Company  E  had  greater  cause  for  rejoicing 
than  any  other,  perhaps,  and  appreciated  that  fact. 
We  were  having  a  family  reunion  ;  Captain  Elliott  and 
the  boys  who  had  separated  from  us  at  Big  River 
Bridge  had  returned ;  we  loved  them  as  brothers  and 
were  proud  of  them  for  the  good  fighting  record  they 
had  made.  To  a  veteran,  this  command  would  doubtless 
have  seemed  like  a  motley  crowd.  The  cavalry  horses 
were  covered  with  trappings  of  every  description,  some 
carrying  camp  kettles  tied  together  and  hung  across  the 
horses'  backs,  like  the  primitive  going  to  mill ;  some 
had  folded  three  or  four  blankets  together,  laid  them 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


129 


across  the  saddle  and  then  mounted  on  top  of  them ;  the 
artillery  caissons  looked  as  though  it  was  family  mov 
ing  day.  For  picturesqueness,  however,  the  infantry 
outclassed  them  all.  When  I  look  at  that  moving  pan 
orama  as  it  is  photographed  on  my  memory,  the  law  of 
the  correlation  of  things  presents  to  my  view  the  pic 
ture  of  Atlas  carrying  the  world  on  his  back. 

Company  E  was  conspicuous  for  many  things,  but 
for  nothing  more  than  for  the  difference  in  height  of 
its  members ;  from  Lyme  Pratt,  Ward,  Byram,  Graves, 
Charlie  Pratt,  and  a  lot  more  of  those  tall  fellows  at  the 
head  of  the  company,  it  was  a  dizzy  tumble  to  Billy 
Burlingame,  Jimmy  Flecker,  Jimmy  Dunbar,  Monroe, 
Jimmie  Watson,  and  a  few  more  of  those  little  fellows 
at  the  tail  end,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  smallest  fellows 
were  trying  to  carry  the  biggest  loads.  An  inventory 
of  the  contents  of  one  of  these  packs  or  knapsacks 
might  be  interesting  enough  to  justify  trespassing  upon 
valuable  space  to  give  it.  Here  is  the  list:  Two 
woolen  blankets,  one  gum  blanket,  sometimes  a  nice 
quilt  or  comfortable  brought  from  home,  a  woolen  shirt 
(or  two),  three  pair  of  woolen  socks,  a  pair  of  boots 
(brought  from  home),  a  comb,  brush  and  tooth  brush, 
and  a  case  with  separate  compartments  for  each  ;  a  shav 
ing  mug,  bmsh,  razor  and  strop;  a  needle  case  with  a 
stock  of  needles  and  twelve  spools  or  skeins  of  thread 
of  different  sizes  and  colors;  a  cake  of  laundry  soap,  a 
cake  of  toilet  soap,  a  little  case  of  the  favorite  family 
remedies,  a  bottle  of  blackberry  cordial  for  camp  trou 
ble  (usually  empty),  a  Bible,  a  manual  of  arms  and 
military  tactics,  and  (when  it  was  not  storming)  a 
large  sky-blue  military  overcoat.  .Some  things  may  be 
forgotten  ;  forty  years  and  a  half  is  a  long  time  to  re 
member  details.  We  staggered  along  under  such  a  load 
as  this,  gaily  and  gladly,  feeling  that  now  we  were  do 
ing  something  to  save  the  Union.  After  we  had 
pitched  our  tents,  eaten  our  supper,  and  gathered 
round  our  camp  fires  of  this,  the  first  night  of  our  first 
real  campaign,  we  consumed  more  time  and  enthusiasm 
telling  of  the  day's  experiences,  than  we  did  after  the 
terrible  charge  on  Vicksburg  on  the  22nd  day  of  May, 
1868. 

We  continued  southward,  crossing  bridgeless  streams, 
banks  full  and  overflowing  on  account  of  the  incessant 
rains,  and  we  now  began  to  experience  some  of  the  dis 
agreeable  and  trying  realities  of  campaigning.  We  were 
drenched  to  the  skin  a  good  share  of  the  time;  the  bot 
tomless  mud  roads  made  it  well  nigh  impossible  for  our 
wagons  to  keep  up  with  us,  and  we  were  passing  many 
hungry  and  shelterless  nights,  and  we  began  to  think 
that  even  hardtack  and  bacon  were  luxuries.  It  was 
interesting  to  note  the  effect  this  new  and  trying  ex 
perience  was  having  upon  our  conscientious,  Christian 
young  men  (and  we  had  many  of  them  in  Company 
E),  men  who  scrupled  to  take  anything  from  the  na 
tives,  first,  upon  the  broad  principle  that  it  was  taking 
something  that  did  not  belong  to  them,  and  second,  be 
cause  beneath  those  butternut  vests  might  beat  loyal 
hearts  (and  most  of  them  claimed  to  be  loyal  in  the 


presence  of  the  Union  forces),  and  we  felt  that  we 
wanted  to  do  no  wrong  to  such.  But  hunger  is  not 
conducive  to  correct  reasoning  nor  conscientious  living, 
and  the  conclusion  was  that  we  must  live  if  we  would 
fight,  and  we  must  eat  if  we  would  live,  and  so  we 
witnessed  the  Burlingames,  the  Watsons,  Charlie  Pratt, 
White,  Dexter,  and  a  score  or  two  more,  marching 
bravely  up  to  the  corn  cribs  along  the  line  of  march 
and  each  putting  two  or  three  ears  of  corn  in  their  hav 
ersacks  to  parch  at  night ;  this  corn  we  ate  in  lieu  of  the 
hardtack  and  bacon  which  never  came  when  our  team 
was  stuck  in  the  mud. 

After  about  two  weeks  of  such  experiences,  we  crossed 
Black  river  at  Reeves'  Ferry,  went  into  camp  and 
stayed  more  than  a  month.  We  were  now  not  more, 
than  fifty  miles  from  Arcadia.  Before  resuming  our 
march  General  Steele  arrived  and  took  command,  and 
we  were  under  him  until  we  reached  Helena,  Ark.  He 
was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  the  general  conclusion 
was  that  he  must  be  a  West  Pointer.  The  volunteer 
soldier  did  not  take  kindly  to  the  professional  soldier  at 
that  time;  we  felt  there  was  a  taint  of  disloyalty  at 
taching  to  most  of  them.  One  of  the  first  things  Gen 
eral  Steele  did  after  taking  command,  that  ruffled  the 
temper  of  the  troops,  was  to  issue  strict  orders  against 
what  was  termed  "private  foraging".  The  plan  of 
giving  loyalty  vouchers  for  supplies  taken  by  author 
ized  foraging  parties  began  to  be  practiced  about  that 
time;  these  vouchers  were  to  be  paid  upon  proof  of  loy 
alty.  The  volunteer  officers  did  not  take  kindly  to  this 
policy,  and  the  rank  and  file  were  not  long  in  finding 
it  out.  General  orders  that  ran  counter  to  empty  stom 
achs  were  not  calculated  to  inspire  respect,  and  the  re 
sult  was  that  those  who  foraged  to  satisfy  their  hunger 
were  made  to  feel  that  they  were  not  only  thieves,  but 
were  disobedient,  both  unpleasant  reflections  for  a 
soldier. 

When  we  resumed  our  march  under  our  new  com 
mander,  the  roads  were  still  in  horrible  condition. 
Gen,  Steele  and  staff  always  managed  to  find  a  comfort 
able  place  to  camp  at  some  plantation  residence.  Every 
thing  was  heavily  guarded  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  hungry  soldiers,  for  there  was  an  un 
pleasant  failure  to  connect  between  our  supply  train 
and  ourselves,  on  account  of  bad  roads  and  bad  manage 
ment.  These  plantation  residences  were  always  set  up 
on  blocks  which  raised  them  three  or  four  feet  from  the 
ground. 

One  afternoon  after  a  hard  day's  march  through  the 
mud  and  rain,  and  just  before  we  crossed  the  Little 
Black  river,  we  went  into  camp  on  a  very  fine  planta 
tion,  Gen.  Steele  and  staff,  as  usual,  taking  possession  of 
the  house  and  outbuildings  for  headquarters.  We  knew 
from  experience  that  our  company  wagon  was  not  likely 
to  overtake  us  that  night,  so  Company  E  sent  out  a  re- 
connoissance  which  returned  at  dark  and  reported  the 
discovery  of  a  flock  of  geese  under  the  house  which  was 
occupied  as  headquarters.  Tt  was  quite  a  large  square 
house  of  one  story,  with  a  porch  on  two  or  three  sides, 


130 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


and  as  usual  set  up  on  blocks.  The  buildings  were  en 
closed  by  a  board  fence  on  three  sides,  and  on  the  west 
side  was  a  rail  fence  which  we  noticed  had  a  gap  in  it 
opening  out  into  a  large  field.  A  guard  had  been 
placed  on  each  of  the  four  sides  of  the  house,  to  see  that 
no  harm  came  to  the  General  and  staff  and  the  other 
geese  under  the  house.  E  Company  held  a  council  of 
war  and  it  was  decided  to  capture  those  geese,  i.  e. ,  the 
ones  with  wings.  Volunteers  were  called  for  and  more 
offered  to  go  than  were  needed.  Spence,  Burlingame, 
Langworthy,  Metcalf  and  Butler  were  selected.  It  was 
a  cloudy,  dark  night,  with  occasionally  a  flash  of  light 
ning.  Burlingame  and  Metcalf,  with  their  gum  blan 
kets  fastened  together  at  the  corners  so  as  to  make 
•sacks,  stationed  themselves  near  the  gap  in  the  rail 
fence,  and  Langworthy  and  Butler  slipped  up  behind 
the  board  fence  where  it  ran  close  to  the  house  and 
managed  to  get  under  it  undiscovered,  watched  their 
opportunity,  and  when  the  guards  were  walking  in  op 
posite  directions,  rushed  the  geese  out  through  the  gap 
into  the  field;  by  keeping  very  close  to  them  we  could 
see  the  white  ganders,  and  easily  follow  them.  The 
four  soldiers  fell  upon  this  flock  of  geese  and  soon  had 
six  of  them,  with  necks  wrung,  in  the  gum  blankets 
and  on  the  way  to  camp.  The  guards  discovered  that 
something  was  going  on  among  the  geese  and  gave  the 
alarm;  next  morning  the  camp  was  carefully  searched, 
but  no  trace  was  ever  found  of  the  missing  geese. 

We  continued  our  march  over  hills,  across  streams, 
and  through  swamps,  until  we  reached  Jacksonport,  at 
the  confluence  of  White  and  Black  rivers.  This  place 
seems  to  have  been  selected  for  a  Confederate  supply 
station,  and  sugar  was  the  principal  article.  Before 
evacuating  the  place  they  had  rolled  the  hogsheads  and 
barrels  into  the  streets  and  emptied  them,  until  sugar 
was  two  or  three  inches  deep  in  the  principal  street  for 
a  distance  of  one  or  two  blocks. 

Before  reaching  Jacksonport  the  slaves  had  begun  to 
run  away  from  their  masters  and  follow  the  army.  In 
almost  every  case  they  had  been  followed  and  re 
claimed,  or  at  least  claimed,  by  their  owners.  This 
was  resented,  especially  by  Company  E,  and  the  ring 
leader  in  this  matter  was  Ike  Hughes ;  the  plan  adopted 
was  described  by  him  as  "belting  them  out  of  camp 
with  a  hoop  pole",  and  that's  what  we  did.  Ike  had 
plenty  of  willing  followers. 

We  stayed  at  Jacksonport  only  a  few  days,  and  then 
crossed  Black  river,  moved  up  the  White,  and  went 
into  camp  near  Batesville.  Here  we  remained  until 
we  were  joined  by  General  Curtis  and  his  forces.  It  be 
came  absolutely  necessary  for  us  to  forage  here,  for  all 
supplies  were  cut  off.  It  seems  that  the  expedition 
which  was  to  have  been  sent  up  White  river  with  sup 
plies  had  failed,  and  we  were  left  in  rather  a  precar 
ious  predicament.  We  were  camped  here  near  some 
Indiana  troops.  A  day  or  two  after  we  went  into 
camp,  a  small  herd  of  Arkansas  cattle  called  on  us  and 
we  tried  to  capture  them.  Metcalf  was  the  hero  of  this 
raid.  He  was  brave  almost  to  rashness ;  he  had  some 


physical  peculiarities  to  which  it  may  be  well  to  call 
attention  ;  the  index  finger  on  (I  think)  his  right  hand 
was  cross-eyed,  i.  e. ,  it  pointed  over  across  the  back  of 
the  other  fingers  of  the  same  hand,  and  if  you  followed 
the  direction  indicated  by  it  you  would  go  around  be 
hind  his  hack ;  yet  he  always  used  it  for  pointing  pur 
poses.  Metcalf  made  an  attempt  to  seize  one  of  those 
steers  by  the  horns,  but  failing  to  reach  those  append 
ages,  caught  the  animal  by  the  tail,  and  in  doing  so, 
lost  his  footing  and  fell ;  the  animal  continued  to  run 
and  dragged  him  through  the  brush.  Some  of  the  In 
diana  boys,  seeing  the  performance,  shouted  to  Metcalf 
in  their  peculiar  dialect,  "Grab  a  root!"  That  phrase 
became  one  of  our  battle  cries;  after  that  event,  if  any 
thing  out  of  the  ordinary  happened,  some  one  would 
start  the  battle  cry,  and  it  would  be  taken  up  and  re 
peated  until  it  went  the  length  nnd  breadth  of  the 
camp,  or  along  the  line  of  march,  if  we  were  moving. 

Toward  the  last  of  June  the  army  under  command  of 
Gen.  Curtis  started  for  Clarendon,  Ark.  We  crossed 
the  Black  river  at  Jacksonport  and  moved  south  down 
the  east  side  of  White  river.  We  had  evidently  estab 
lished  a  reputation  as  foragers,  for  the  inhabitants  no 
longer  left  their  hams  and  bacon  hanging  in  the  smoke 
houses,  but  hid  them  in  swamps  and  other  supposedly 
safe  places.  There  was  one  cunning  trick  which  they 
adopted,  which  the  Yankees  discovered.  They  would 
take  a  box  or  barrel  of  meat,  sink  it  a  few  inches  below 
the  surface  of  the  ground  between  the  rows  of  growing 
corn,  and  then  plow  over  it,  which  would  obliterate 
all  other  marks.  Of  course  we  got  the  original  infor 
mation  from  some  darkey,  after  which  we  always— if 
we  could — when  we  came  to  a  cornfield,  walked  through 
between  the  rows;  we  could  always  tell  when  we  came 
to  one  of  these  buried  treasures. 

Weather  conditions  had  changed  from  being  exces 
sively  wet  in  the  early  part  of  the  season  to  exceedingly 
hot  and  dry  when  we  started  down  White  river. 
Drinking  water  was  not  only  scarce  but  abominable; 
some  of  the  Company  E  boys  had  found  it  advisable  to 
use  the  liquid  product  of  corn  and  rye,  presumably  as 
an  antidote  for  snake  bites.  Our  march  was  alternately 
through  swamps  and  along  ridges;  swamp  water  was 
pestilential,  and  the  few  shallow  wells  along  the  ridges 
were  either  spoiled  by  the  rebels  who  were  disputing 
every  foot  of  our  advance,  or  else  were  closely  guarded 
to  prevent  wastefulness.  One  hot,  dry  day,  after  a  long 
march,  we  had  gone  into  camp  on  a  plantation  and  a 
guard  was  placed  over  the  well.  Corporal  Dwire  had, 
during  the  day,  got  frightened  at  a  snake,  and  had 
taken  some  antidote;  a  squad  of  Company  E  boys  got  a 
permit  from  the  proper  officer  to  get  water,  and  as  we  ap 
proached  the  well  we  saw  the  guard  chase  Corporal  Dwire 
away  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  When  we  arrived 
Dwire  had  turned  his  face  to  the  guard,  and  his  coun 
tenance  looked  like  a  sand  storm  in  the  desert.  One  of 
our  number  said,  "Hello,  Dwire;  what's  the  matter?" 
He  replied,  "I'm  looking  damned  dry  in  hopes  that 
guard  will  take  the  hint  and  give  me  some  water." 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


131 


Our  progress  henceforward  became  more  and  more 
difficult,  and  our  troubles  finally  culminated  on  July 
7th  in  the  battle  of  Cache  river.  Other  and  abler  hands 
are  writing  an  account  of  this  fight,  but  fearing  they 
may  overlook  some  incidents,  mention  of  them  may  be 
permissible.  Company  E  was  among  the  first  into  the 
fight,  and  ran  into  an  ambush  laid  for  our  troops  by 
a  large  force  of  Texan  Rangers.  The  location  was  a 
low,  swampy  place,  covered  with  a  dense  cypress  un 
dergrowth.  We  were  completely  surprised  and  were 
outnumbered  ten  to  one.  Probably  a  more  disastrous 
battle  was  never  fought  by  a  Confederate  army ;  yet 
there  was  some  of  the  best  sprinting  on  our  part  ever 
witnessed,  and  it  is  some  of  these  deeds  that  it  is  sought 
to  commemorate  in  this  record.  \Ve  had  crossed  the 
Cache,  and  the  road  taken  led  us  up  a  little  rise  through 
the  woods  to  a  cornfield  on  our  left,  enclosed  by  a  rail 
fence;  after  following  this  road  about  half  the  length  of 
the  field,  the  woods  on  our  right  gave  way  to  a  com 
mon,  covering  perhaps  twenty-five  or  thirty  acres;  be 
yond  this  came  the  swamp  and  the  ambush. 

There  were  two  or  three  companies  ahead  of  us.  We 
may  not  have  been  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  but  we 
were  in  the  thickest  of  the  run  when  that  came;  and  it 
can  be  said  without  fear  of  successful  contradiction 
that  no  company  ever  made  a  better  run  than  Company 
E  (there  certainly  must  be  a  large  infusion  of  Hamble- 
tonian  blood  in  our  veins;  we  were  fast)  on  that  occa 
sion.  There  were  Charlie  Morris,  Ward,  Byram,  and  a 
-few  more  of  those  rangy  fellows  that  never  knew  how 
fast  they  could  run  before ;  then  those  little  short-legged 
chaps  like  Jimmy  Flecker  and  Watson,  Billy  Burlin- 
game,  Howard  Morris,  and  Jack  Brown,  who  an  hour 
before  were  complaining  of  being  chafed  and  were 
marching  as  only  the  chafed  can  march— all  went  up 
that  road  neck  and  neck,  and  the  pursuing  cavalry 
seemed  to  be  moving  at  a  snail's  pace  in  comparison 
with  these  fleet-footed  Company  E  boys.  The  little 
short  fellows  seemed  to  be  at  no  disadvantage  until  it 
came  to  climbing  the  rail  fence  into  the  cornfield.  The 
tall  fellows  seemed  to  almost  fly  over  it — I  think  Char 
lie  Morris  did  actually  perform  that  feat— but  the  short 
fellows  had  evidently  lost  their  wings  in  the  flight  and 
were  content  to  climb  through  the  cracks.  I  saw  one 
short  comrade  that  looked  like  Jimmy  Flecker  trying 
to  get  through  a  crack  that  was  a  little  too  small  for 
him,  and  he  stuck  fast.  An  unfriendly  knot  took  a 
cinch  in  the  seat  of  his  pants,  and  claimed  him  for  its 
own.  As  Charlie  Morris  made  his  flying  leap  over  the 
fence,  he  gave  a  backward  kick  which  assisted  Jim  in 
tearing  himself  away  from  his  environment,  and  he 
found  himself  sprawling  on  the  ground,  but  on  the 
wrong  side  of  the  fence.  Whether  Jim  got  through,  or 
over,  is  known  only  to  his  good  angel,  but  he  was  in 
the  "line-up"  and  ready  for  business. 

Some  of  us  wouldn't  have  stopped  until  we  crossed 
the  Arkansas  line,  if  it  had  not  been  for  Col.  Hovey. 
When  we  reached  the  woods  north  of  the  commons, 
there  he  was,  swinging  his  sword  and  shouting  in  the 


most  frantic  manner,  in  an  effort  to  check  the  stam 
pede;  but  whether  he  was  praying  or  swearing,  remains 
a  mystery.  The  first  words  of  the  Colonel's  that 
reached  our  ears  were  these:  "Lord  Almighty  God, 
boys!  are  you  going  to  run  like  sheep?"  Some  of  the 
boys  have  never  quite  forgiven  Col.  Hovey  for  intimat 
ing  on  that  occasion,  after  such  a  splendid  exhibition 
of  speed,  that  they  ran  like  sheep.  After  having  such  a 
doubtful  compliment  hurled  at  us,  we  stopped  running 
and  climbed  over— and  through — the  fence  into  the 
cornfield  and  went  to  fighting  those  rebs  like  demons ; 
who  wouldn't? 

We  scarcely  had  time  to  station  ourselves  behind  the 
fence  and  in  the  woods,  our  line  forming  a  right  angle, 
when  the  rebel  cavalry  came  charging  up  the  road  four 
abreast.  For  some  unaccountable  reason  we  held  our 
fire  until  the  head  of  the  column  had  almost  reached 
the  woods.  Our  forces  then  opened  a  most  deadly  fire 
on  them  from  front  and  flank.  The  head  of  the  column 
wavered,  wheeled  to  the  left,  passed  along  the  woods  a 
short  distance,  where  they  received  another  galling  fire 
from  the  infantry  behind  trees,  then  wheeled  again 
south,  and  started  back  through  the  opening  for  the 
swamp  from  which  they  came;  all  this  time  they  were 
within  easy  range  of  our  guns.  We  buried  more  than 
one  hundred  of  their  dead  in  that  little  opening.  Our 
fighting  force  was  less  than  four  hundred.  After  a 
fruitless  pursuit  of  this  army  for  several  miles,  we  re 
sumed  our  march  southward. 

We  were  now  without  rations,  and  many  of  us  with 
out  shoes;  thirsty,  hungry,  weary,  and  footsore,  but 
with  bright  anticipations  of  relief  when  we  should 
reach  Clarendon,  about  forty  miles  below  on  White 
river,  where  we  expected  supplies  were  awaiting  us. 
Clarendon  was  reached  after  two  days  of  hard  march 
ing,  but  no  supplies  were  there.  After  filling  ourselves 
and  our  canteens  with  water  from  White  river — we  had 
no  food— we  marched  for  Helena,  on  the  Mississippi 
river,  seventy  miles  away  across  the  country.  For  in 
tense  sufFering  from  heat,  hunger  and  thirst,  that 
march  was  the  worst  Company  E  ever  experienced,  and 
doubtless  many  would  have  perished  had  it  not  been 
for  a  shower  of  rain.  Before  it  could  soak  away  the 
soldiers  would  lie  down  on  their  faces  and  drink  out  of 
the  ruts  and  tracks  made  by  wagons  and  the  cavalry 
ahead  of  us.  Those  who  were  able  to  hold  out  made 
that  march  in  less  than  three  days— but  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  Company  E  were  lying 
along  the  road. 

After  staying  at  Helena  a  short  time,  Col.  Hovey's 
brigade  was  sent  to  Old  Town  Landing,  about  twenty 
miles  below.  The  adjective  "Old"  was  properly  ap 
plied,  for  it  had  decayed  ages  ago  and  there  was  noth 
ing  left  to  tell  the  story.  Our  first  camp  was  located 
between  the  river  and  the  levee ;  it  was  where  the 
Father  of  Waters  made  a  sharp  bend,  and  we  were  on 
his  elbow.  The  old  gentleman  changed  his  course  fre 
quently  and  had  an  unpleasant  way  of  undermining 
his  bank  every  little  while  and  letting  it  down  into  the 


132 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


water  where  it  could  liquidate.  He  took  a  notion  to  do 
this  while  we  were  occupying  it,  and  we  had  to  move 
out  in  :i  hurry.  About  the  only  sign  of  civilization 
near  our  camp  was  a  field  of  sweet  potatoes,  and  Com 
pany  E  located  near  it.  We  were  camped  here  about 
three  months,  and  our  time  was  occupied  in  stealing 
cotton  and  other  things.  There  is  no  failure  to  realize 
that  this  last  statement  embodies  a  serious  charge ;  the 
only  excuse  for  making  it  is  that  it  is  true.  The  writer 
was  detailed  here  into  the  Quartermaster's  department, 
and  shortly  afterward  Uncle  Sim  Wright,  Brigade 
Quartermaster,  went  north  on  sick  leave.  At  his  re 
quest  1  was  left  in  charge  of  that  department  until  his 
return,  but  his  absence  being  unexpectedly  prolonged, 
Capt.  Whittlesy  of  the  llth  Wisconsin  was  placed  in 
charge. 

As  has  been  previously  stated,  Company  E  was 
camped  near  the  sweet  potato  field,  and  for  some  unac 
countable  reason  — probably  from  force  of  habit— a  guard 
was  placed  around  it.  Just  before  we  left  there  the 
owner  of  the  field  discovered  that  his  sweet  potato  crop 
had  been  tampered  with,  and  upon  examination  it  was 
found  that  some  one  had  got  past  the  guard  into  the 
field,  probably  at  night,  had  dug  into  the  side  of  the 
potato  ridges,  pulled  out  the  largest  of  the  tubers,  then 
scraped  the  dirt  back  so  nicely  that  the  work  was  hard 
ly  noticeable,  for  the  vines  kept  on  growing  about  as 
well  as  before  they  were  robbed.  A  rigid  inqury  into 
the  matter  was  made,  but  about  all  that  was  brought 
to  light  was  that  Eerrick  Bullard  and  John  M.  Porter 
had  been  conducting  a  class  in  ethics  every  night  for 
some  time,  and  that  when  the  colored  camp  followers 
had  their  "glory  meetings"  and  continued  shouting 
and  singing  until  midnight,  these  teachers  and  their 
class  used  to  appear  on  the  scene  from  the  direction  of 
the  potato  field  arid  "shell  them  out",  and  that  a  great 
many  of  the  missiles  hurled  were  sweet  potatoes. 

Old  Town  Landing  proved  a  veritable  graveyard  for 
our  soldiers,  who  were  kept  constantly  tramping 
through  the  swamps  hunting  for  cotton.  The  intense 
heat,  bushwhackers,  and  deadly  swamp  fever  played 
havoc  with  our  forces.  I  have  never  been  able  to  dis 
pel  one  shadow  that  came  across  my  life  at  that  time. 
While  in  the  quartermaster's  department  Myron  Hicks 
of  Company  H  was  my  bunk  mate,  and  a  splendid 
young  soldier  he  was.  On  one  of  those  foraging  expe 
ditions  a  country  store  was  looted,  and  Hicks  took 
what  he  supposed  to  be  a  bottle  of  quinine.  After 
reaching  camp  he  decided  to  take  a  dose  of  it  just  be 
fore  going  to  bed.  He  measured  out  what  would  be 
about  five  or  six  grains  of  quinine,  asked  me  if  it  was 
about  right,  and  receiving  an  affirmative  answer,  swal 
lowed  it.  About  two  o'clock  his  heavy  breathing  woke 
me.  I  tried  to  rouse  him,  but  could  not.  The  surgeon 
was  called,  and  upon  examination  of  the  contents  of 
the  bottle  found  it  to  be  morphine.  All  efforts  to  save 
Hicks  proved  unavailing,  and  he  died  about  eleven 
o'clock  that  forenoon. 
About  the  first  of  October  we  were  taken  on  board  a 


large  steamboat  and  sent  north  to  Sulphur  Springs,  Mo., 
a  short  distance  below  St.  Louis.     Our  rejoicing  that 
we  were  to  escape  from  those  pestilential  swamps  knew 
no  bounds.     On  the  trip  up  the  river  some  of  the  Com 
pany  E  boys  got  quite  hilarious,  but  never  lost  sight  of 
the  fact  that  they  ought  to  look  after  Uncle  Sam's  in 
terests.     Soon  after  leaving  Memphis   Chaplain    Eddy 
came  on   deck.     There  is  a  warm  spot  for  Dr.  Eddy  in 
the  heart  of  every  Thirty-thirder,  because  he    looked 
after  our  mail  so  faithfully,  also  sanitary  supplies.     He 
was  a  genuine,  whole-souled  Christian.     On   this  occa 
sion    our    big-hearted    Corporal    Dwire   was  just    in   a 
frame  of  mind  to  feel  that  the  whole  burden  of  the  war 
was  resting  on  his  shoulders,  so  be  addressed  Dr.  Eddy 
in   this  wise:     "Chaplain  Eddy,  you  are  a  pretty  good 
fellow   and  the  boys  all  like  you,  but  I  don't  think  you 
are    doing    exactly    right."     With    much    surprise    the 
Chaplain   said,    "Why,  Mr.    Dwire,    what  am   I  doing 
that  isn't  right?"     Dwire  replied,  "The  Government  is 
paying  you   eighteen   hundred   dollars  a  year  to  preach 
to  us  boys.     During   the  past  year  you   have  given  us 
two  sermons,  and  that  makes  them  cost  nine  hundred 
dollars  apiece,  and   I  don't  think  they  are  worth  it." 
No  one  can  fully  appreciate  the  richness  of   this  scene, 
who  has  never  seen  Dwire  in  one  of   those  moods.     He 
looked  as  solemn  as  a  sphinx,  as  wise  as  an  owl,  and  as 
sanctimonious  as  a  priest  — grand,  gloomy,  and  peculiar. 
In   due  time  we   were  unloaded  at  Sulphur  Springs, 
loaded  on  board  the  cars  on  the  Iron  Mountain  railroad, 
and  soon' found  ourselves  at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  again.     Dur 
ing  our  absence  we  had  gained  a  vast  amount  of  exper 
ience,  and  we  looked  at  the  war  question  through  much 
wiser  eyes  than  we  did  eight    months  before,   when  we 
were  so  impatient  to  plunge   into  its  untried  realities. 
In  numbers,  as  in  other  respects,  our  Company  E   pre 
sented   a  sad  contrast   to  the  one  that  had  marched  out 
from   here  the  previous  spring.     Then,  eighty  or  more 
robust,  buoyant  young  soldiers  marched  from   here  as 
though    they   were   going   to    "Vanity    Fair".     About 
thirty  had  returned,  looking   sickly,  sallow  and  jaded. 
Scattered   here,    there  and  everywhere   were   the  other 
fifty  ;  in  hospitals,  at  home  on  sick  furlough,  and  many 
we  knew  not   where.     Those  given  to  reflection  doubt 
less  experienced  some  strange  sensations  while  consid 
ering  this  contrast. 

We  remained  at  Arcadia  two  or  three  weeks  this  time, 
and  then  the  force,  under  command  of  General  David 
son,  were  started  out  on  a  winter's  campaign  into 
Southern  Missouri.  This  time  our  route  was  in  a  south 
westerly  direction  from  Arcadia,  following  more  close 
ly  the  Ozark  Range  than  we  did  in  our  former  one.  It 
was  a  fruitless  and  purposeless  expedition,  conceived 
in  folly  and  executed  in  stupidity,  and  it  occupied 
nearly  four  month's  time  through  a  winter  of  unusual 
severity.  In  some  respects  this  campaign  was  like  that 
of  the  previous  spring.  The  supply  train  was  usually  a 
day  or  two  behind  the  command  to  which  it  belonged. 
The  soldiers  were  in  a  half-starved  condition  much  of 
the  time  and  the  commanding  officer  would  rather  the 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


133 


boys  should  starve  than  forage  off  the  country.  About 
the  only  contrast  was  in  the  temperature.  "Necessity 
is  the  mother  of  invention",  and  General  W.  P.  Ben- 
ton,  who  commanded  our  brigade,  said  that  before  this 
campaign  was  over  any  of  his  command  could,  while 
marching,  kill  a  Missouri  hog,  dress  it,  cut  it  up  and 
put  it  into  their  haversacks  without  breaking  ranks. 

On  our  return  march  from  West  Plains,  while  in 
camp  at  or  near  Current  river  waiting  for  our  supply 
trains  to  overtake  us,  and  hungry  as  usual,  a  few  lean, 
ill-favored  Missouri  cattle  came  about  Company  E 
quarters,  and  we  quietly  confiscated  one  of  them. 
While  we  were  skinning  our  Missourian,  General  Dav 
idson  came  riding  up  and  caught  us  in  the  very  act. 
It  was  against  orders,  and  we  expected  to  be  put  under 
arrest,  but  some  one  of  the  boys  (I  cannot  now  remem 
ber  who)  suggested  that  we  try  and  talk  him  out  of  it, 
and  put  up  this  kind  of  a  story  :  "General,  this  death 
was  accidental ;  it  happened  in  this  way :  You  see  we 
had  thrown  out  a  little  salt,  and  these  animals  got  a 
taste  of  it,  after  which  they  just  about  pestered  the  life 
out  of  us.  A  little  while  ago  we  were  chasing  them 
away  and  this  fellow  ran  against  that  black-jack  and 
broke  his  neck,  and  we  thought  it  a  pity  to  lose  the 
meat  when  grub  is  so  scarce."  All  of  us  corroborated 
this  story  and  it  worked  all  right. 

Wre  returned  to  Arcadia  the  latter  part  of  February, 
1863,  and  about  the  middle  of  March  we  marched  across 
the  country  to  St.  Genevieve,  on  the  Mississippi  river, 
where  we  took  boat  and  joined  the  army  being  assem 
bled  for  the  campaign  against  Vicksburg.  Nothing  of 
especial  interest  occurred  on  the  trip  down  the  river. 
Many  things  happened  which  would  have  been  consid 
ered  quite  remarkable  one  year  before,  but  at  that  time 
they  scarcely  attracted  attention.  After  a  comfortable 
trip,  we  landed  at  Millikin's  Bend,  La.,  where  the 
army  was  reorganized  under  General  Grant,  and  from 
this  time  on  the  story  of  every  movement  of  every 
corps,  division,  brigade,  regiment  and  almost  every 
company  has  been  told  over  and  over  again,  with  such 
faithfulness  and  care  that  a  repetition  seems  almost 
presumptions.  Up  to  this  time  we  had  been  serving 
with  an  army  which  had  received  very  little  attention 
from  the  general  public,  and  was  scarcely  ever  men 
tioned  in  the  public  press,  although  it  had  performed 
one  of  the  most  important  services  of  the  war.  It  had 
kept  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  river  cleared  of 
rebel  forces  that  would  obstruct  its  free  navigation  from 
St.  Louis  to  Vicksburg,  and  had  made  it  a  safe  artery 
through  which  the  Government  could  move  its  armies, 
navies,  and  munitions  of  war.  It  had  defeated  or  de 
stroyed  every  rebel  force  it  had  met,  although  it  had 
been  outnumbered  several  times  over,  and  had  been 
much  of  the  time  absolutely  without  a  base  of  supplies. 
When  we  became  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
we  felt  that  we  had  emerged  from  a  service  of  obscurity 
and  had  come  out  into  the  open. 

The  13th  Army  Corps,  to  which  we  belonged,  about 
the  middle  of  April  were  ordered  down  the  levee,  and 


we  guessed  that  something  was  going  to  happen.  Com 
pany  E  was  well  to  the  front  at  the  beginning  of  this, 
the  campaign  against  Vicksburg,  and  continued  to  oc 
cupy  that  position  until  after  the  battle  of  Magnolia 
Hills,  or  Port  ^Gibson,  which  was  our  first  tight  after 
crossing  the  river  below  Grand  Gulf.  We  were  not  on 
detailed  duty  at  any  time,  and  therefore  our  regimental 
history  will  be  the  history  of  Company  E.  While  the 
regiment  was  supporting  a  battery  in  the  afternoon  dur 
ing  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson,  in  our  front  and  a  little 
to  our  right  would  appear  at  short  intervals  a  group  of 
rebel  cavalry  on  a  hill.  After  doing  this  a  number  of 
times,  one  of  the  guns  in  the  battery  was  trained  on 
that  spot  and  soon  got  the  range  all  right.  The  group 
finally  appeared  for  the  last  time,  for  a  shell  from  our 
gun  dropped  in  their  midst  and  exploded.  We  were 
told  by  prisoners  taken  that  this  party  was  General 
Bowen  and  staff,  and  that  Bowen  was  killed. 

The  battle  continued  until  dark,  and  I  was  sent  out 
with  a  squad  to  do  picket  duty  that  night  right  up 
close  to  the  rebel  lines;  Billy  Burlingarne  was  with  me, 
and  I  think  Andrew  Beck.  I  don't  believe  any  of  us  ever 
suffered  more  intensely  than  we  did  that  night,  trying 
to  keep  awake.  We  had  marched  all  the  night  before, 
had  been  in  the  fight  since  4  o'clock  that  morning,  and 
were  well  nigh  exhausted,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the 
responsibility  resting  upon  us,  personal  danger  would 
not  have  kept  us  awake  one  moment.  Orders  were  to 
relieve  one  another,  two  hours  on  and  four  off,  but  we 
found  that  none  of  us  could  trust  ourselves  alone,  for 
we  had  to  keep  still,  as  well  as  awake,  so  we  arranged 
for  two  to  keep  awake  and  pinch  each  other.  About  2 
o'clock  in  the  morning  we  heard  considerable  stir  in 
the  rebel  camp,  and  communicated  the  fact  to  the  offi 
cer  of  the  guard.  Our  forces  were  prepared  for  an  early 
renewal  of  the  fight,  but  when  daylight  came  it  was 
found  that  the  rebels  had  "folded  their  tents  and  si 
lently  stole  away",  and  then  the  pursuit  began  which 
ended  with  the  capture  of  Vicksburg. 

I  cannot  do  better  than  to  insert  here  a  description 
by  Charlie  Pratt,  covering  that  portion  of  this  cam 
paign  beginning  with  the  opening  of  the  battle  of 
Champion '^s  Hill  and  closing  with  the  charge  on  the 
22nd  of  May  : 

"At  Champion's  Hill,  on  May  Kith,  the  33rd  was  on 
reserve  till  about  4  p.  m.,  then  ordered  to  the  front, 
and  Company  E  onto  the  skirmish  line,  just  as  the  rebs 
began  to  retreat.  Company  E  took  more  than  twice  its 
number  of  prisoners ;  James  Cox  and  your  servant  had 
the  honor  of  receiving  the  surrender  of  six  braves  at 
one  time.  They  were  already  whipped  ;  we  had  the 
easy  part  of  it.  The  race  continued  to  Edwards'  Sta 
tion,  where  we  captured  some  cars  loaded  with  commis 
sary  stores,  a  lot  of  ammunition  for  small  arms,  and  a 
lot  of  shells  which  were  unloading  at  a  rapid  rate,  for 
the  whole  thing  was  on  fire.  Bursting  shells  have  little 
terror  for  a  desperately  hungry  man,  and  the  rebel  grub 
found  a  resting  place  in  Union  quarters. 

"May   17th.     By  the  time  it  was  light  enough  to  tell 


134 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


Yank  from  .Johnny,  we  were  again  on  the  march  and 
soon  arrived  at  Black  river,  where  the  rebs  had  a  well- 
chosen  and  strongly  fortified  position.  The  33rd  was 
ordered  forward  to  support  a  battery  which  was  en 
gaging  the  enemy  in  good  earnest,  and  j^ist  for  a  change 
we  were  marched  to  the  front  of  the  battery  and  ordered 
to  lie  down.  As  overshooting  is  the  rule,  we  learned 
that  we  were  in  the  safest  place,  and  during  the  several 
hours  of  shell  tiring  of  over  twenty  pieces  of  artillery 
our  fears  all  wore  out,  and  enthusiasm  took  such  con 
trol  that  the  regiment  arose  and  made  a  rush  for  the 
enemy's  works,  which  they  went  over  like  a  flock  of 
sbeepj  and  captured  1(5  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  host  of 
prisoners— all  this  without  orders.  But  there  is  nothing 
that  people  are  so  willing  to  approve  as  success,  and  we 
were  not  censured. 

"May  18th.  We  were  up  at  4  a.  m.,  with  rations  to 
draw,  cook,  eat,  and  be  ready  to  march  in  one  hour. 
Flour  came  instead  of  bread,  with  no  visible  means  of 
preparation  for  eating.  The  cooks  poured  some  baking 
powder  and  water  into  the  Hour  and  stirred  the  whole 
thing  up  and  divided  it.  Homebody  having  his  thinker 
with  him  wrapped  his  dough  around  the  ramrod  of  his 
gun,  held  it  to  the  fire,  and  soon  had  a  nice  biscuit. 
The  rest  of  us  followed  suit,  and  were  ready  to  partici 
pate  in  the  preliminary  fighting  that  occurred  at  Vicks- 
burg  that  day.  Company  E  was  detailed  as  sharp 
shooters  and  did  some  good  work  till  the  night  of  May 
21st.  We  went  to  bed  about  dark  and  had  just  got  well 
settled  down- for  a  good  night's  sleep  when  Captain 
Elliott  came  along  and  called  for  Pratt.  I  responded, 
and  we  walked  a  little  way  from  the  company,  when 
the  Captain  said  :  'General  Carr  wants  someone  to  make 
a  reconnoisance  of  the  enemy's  works  in  our  front;  will 
you  go?  The  service  must  be  entirely  voluntary;  start 
when  you  please,  take  your  own  course,  and  return 
when  you  get  ready.'  I  said,  'Yes'.  He  gave  me  the 
countersign,  and  we  parted.  I  do  not  know  how  he 
felt,  but  there  were  some  emotions  stirring  in  my 
breast,  especially  after  passing  our  pickets,  and  I  real 
ized  that  for  the  first  time  in  my  life  I  was  beyond  the 
protection  of  the  American  flag;  and  alone  with  God, 
I  kneeled  down  and  committed  my  whole  being  into 
His  keeping ;  I  became  perfectly  calm,  and  forgot 
everything  but  the  business  on  hand.  Having  located 
the  rebel  pickets  and  passed  them,  the  work  was  not  so 
difficult.  The  Johnnies  slept  much  closer  to  their 
works  than  was  our  custom,  and  I  could  have  touched 
their  guns  with  my  hand,  but  did  not  care  to  indulge 
in  familiarities.  Time  passed  faster  than  T  was  aware, 
and  daylight  would  have  found  me  inside  the  enemy's 
pickets,  but  for  a  fire  that  started  in  the  city  and  began 
to  throw  its  light  unpleasantly  near  my  field  of  opera 
tions  and  suggested  a  retreat.  However,  the  fire  only 
lasted  a  few  minutes.  Daylight  was  coming  when  I 
reached  our  pickets.  According  to  instructions,  I  re 
ported  to  Gen.  Carr,  whom  I  found  in  council  with  his 
subordinates.  The  weakest  point  in  the  enemy's  works 
was  pointed  out  and  agreed  upon  as  the  place  to  strike." 


The   finding   of   this  place   was  Charlie    Pratt's    im 
portant  duty,  and  well  did  he  perform  it. 

When  the  33rd  followed  the  99th  up  out  of  the  head 
of  the  ravine,  and  into  the  open,  where  bullets  were 
falling  like  hail,  and  shot  and  shell  were  being  hurled 
at  us  like  a  thousand  thunderbolts,  and  the  comrades 
were  going  down  like  grain  before  the  sickle,  among 
others,  big  strong  Charlie  Morris  went  down,  and  just 
about  that  time  the  99th  moved  back  over  the  same 
ground,  and  I  think  everyone  of  them  ran  over  and 
trampled  on  him.  It  did  not  seem  possible  that  any 
human  being  could  survive  such  an  ordeal,  but  after  a 
while  Charlie  struggled  to  his  feet,  and  in  a  bewildered 
condition  started  for  the  rebel  works,  and  soon  found 
himself  in  the  ditch  in  front  of  them,  with  Col.  Wash- 
burn  of  the  18th  Indiana  and  possibly  a  hundred  men 
from  different  regiments  in  the  brigade,  and  here  they 
stayed  the  rest  of  the  day.  Just  at  dusk  Quimby's  bri 
gade  attempted  to  reach  the  rebel  lines,  but  were  driven 
back.  Then  Col.  Washburn  said,  "Boys,  get  out  of 
here,"  and  they  all  made  a  break  for  our  lines.  Many 
perished  in  the  attempt,  but  Charlie  Morris  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  ravine,  and  the  first  Company  E  boy 
he  met  was  George  V.  Kendall,  holding  onto  one  end 
of  a  stretcher  and  crying.  As  Morris  came  up  to  him 
he  said,  "Seedy,  there  are  some  of  our  boys  up  there 
badly  hurt,  and  I  can't  get  anyone  to  help  me  bring 
them  down,  and  it's  nearly  dark."  Exhausted  and 
weak  from  hunger  and  thirst,  and  still  half  stunned 
from  the  concussion  of  the  bursting  shell  earlier  in  the 
day,  Morris  took  the  other  end  of  the  stretcher,  and  to 
gether  they  made  two  trips.  The  rebels  were  still  send 
ing  a  storm  of  lead  after  every  moving  object  in  front 
of  their  works,  but  our  heroes  succeeded  in  bringing 
off"  two  poor  wounded  fellows.  As  they  were  placing 
the  last  one  upon  the  stretcher,  a  fuse  shell  came  bound 
ing  along  and  came  to  a  stop  right  at  Kendall's  feet; 
the  fuse  was  sputtering,  and  the  fatal  explosion  was 
liable  to  come  in  a  second's  time;  without  hesitation 
Kendall  seized  and  threw  it  over  into  a  deep  washout 
in  the  side  hill  a  few  feet  from  where  they  stood.  Just 
as  it  disappeared  below  the  top  of  the  ditch,  it  burst, 
scattering  debris  all  about  and  over  them.  But  Ken 
dall's  nerve  and  promptness  had  saved  them.  Morris 
says  he  knows  nothing  of  what  happened  after  this, 
until  about  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  when  he 
awoke  and  found  himself  lying  beside  a  log  away  down 
the  gulch,  where  a  little  spring  of  water  oozed  out  of 
the  ground,  and  it  was  nearly  night  when  he  found 
what  was  left  of  the  33rd,  and  got  something  to 
eat. 

During  the  night  of  May  22nd  Sergeant  Dwire  and  a 
comrade  did  most  noble  and  heroic  service  in  bringing 
off'  the  field  the  wounded  from  inside  the  rebel  picket 
line.  Jacob  Cordelle,  who  had  fallen  asleep  from  sheer 
exhaustion,  was  severely  wounded  by  the  premature  ex 
plosion  of  a  shell  from  one  of  our  own  guns.  When  it 
became  evident  that  there  was  not  to  be  a  renewal  of 
the  charge,  the  rebels— be  it  said  to  their  honor  and 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


135 


credit — allowed  every  wounded  man  to  pass  who  was 
able  to  drag  himself  off  the  tield. 

As  soon  as  the  result  of  this  terrible  day's  battle  could 
be  ascertained,  the  record  of  Company  E  was  as  follows  : 
Killed,  Tip  Graves,  Lou  Langworthy,  Jason  Watson, 
Thomas  Rogers,  James  H.  Davis,  and  E.  A.  Bird. 
Mortally  wounded,  Wm.  Burlingame  and  Allen  Hill. 
Howard  Morris  also  would  probably  have  died  from  his 
wounds,  which  were  almost  exactly  like  Burlingame's 
and  Hill's,  had  not  Sergeant  W.  H.  Byram,  who  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  face,  stayed  with  him,  ban 
daged  his  thigh,  and  in  about  thirty  hours  got  him  off 
the  field.  This  faithfulness  and  care  saved  the  life  of 
as  good  and  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  wore  the  blue.  All 
the  other  members  of  Company  E  were  Avounded  more 
or  less  severely,  except  three. 

As  soon  as  possible,  our  wounded  were  loaded  on  hos 
pital  boats  and  there  cared  for,  or  sent  away  to  hospi 
tals.  While  this  was  being  done  occurred  one  of  the 
most  noble  and  self  sacrificing  deeds  ever  witnessed. 
In  loading  the  wounded  onto  one  of  the  boats,  orders 
were  given  to  put  those  most  severely  wounded  into 
the  cabin,  and  the  slightly  wounded  outside  on  the 
deck.  John  Davis  and  P.  L.  Hill  of  Company  E,  who 
were  badly  wounded,  and  who  had  been  selected  for 
the  cabin,  refused  to  be  taken  in,  saying  that  they  were 
strong  and  healthy  and  could  stand  it  outside.  During 
the  night  a  cold  storm  came  up,  and  they  both  perished 
from  congestive  chills. 

General  Grant  now  •  abandoned  the  idea  of  taking 
Vicksburg  by  storm,  and  decided  to  starve  the  besieged 
army.  We  now  began  to  burrow  in  the  ground  and 
look  after  our  personal  safety  as  much  as  possible. 
Snapshooting,  and  occasionally  a  little  battery  firing, 
was  about  all  that  was  done,  until  July  2nd,  when  a 
general  bombardment  of  the  rebel  position  took  place, 
which  soon  resulted  in  an  offer  to  surrender  from  the 
commander  of  the  besieged  army.  Between  the  22nd 
of  May  and  July  4th  the  two  armies  cultivated  each 
other's  acquaintance  by  getting  together  on  picket  posts 
and  visiting.  Many  a  rebel  went  to  his  quarters  from 
the  picket  line  with  enough  coffee,  and  perhaps  other 
substantials,  to  break  for  one  meal,  anyway,  his  long 
fast.  It  is  best,  perhaps,  not  to  mention  any  names  in 
this  connection,  but  occasionally  the  demon  of  war  lost 
control  and  the  angel  of  peace  took  possession.  When 
the  surrender  came,  and  the  half-starved  soldiers  of  the 
beleaguered  garrison  marched  out  unarmed,  they  were 
treated  by  our  boys  to  all  the  coffee,  hardtack,  and  the 
proverbial  "sow  belly"  they  could  eat,  and  there  was  a 
season  of  rejoicing  by  Union  and  Rebel  soldier. 

The  day  after  the  surrender  every  soldier  that  was 
able  to  march  was  started  out  on  a  campaign  against 
the  rebel  forces  under  Johnston,  whose  main  army  was 
at  Jackson,  Miss.  We  met  with  no  serious  resistance 
until  we  approached  within  a  few  miles  of  that  place, 
when  we  ran  up  against  their  line,  and  quite  a  severe 
engagement  ensued.  Here  Sergeant  Edward  Marsh, 
who  was  in  command  of  Company  E,  was  severely 


wounded,  and  Private  E.  L.  Dexter  took  command 
and  handled  the  company  most  admirably  until  the 
battle  was  over.  Just  before  night  the  rebel  forces  were 
withdrawn  inside  their  fortifications,  which  were  about 
a  mile  outside  of  Jackson.  Our  pickets  were  advanced 
to  within  two  or  three  hundred  yards  of  their  lines, 
and  our  army  at  once  began  to  strengthen  their  posi 
tion,  and  get  up  closer  to  the  enemy. 

The  second  night  after  the  battle  Company  E  was  on 
picket  duty,  and  w:e  were  up  so  near  the  rebel  works 
that  we  could  distinctly  hear  their  voices  while  engaged 
in  ordinary  conversation.  There  Deemed  to  be  an  un 
usual  stir  within  their  lines  all  night,  and  early  in  the 
morning— perhaps  one  or  two  o'clock — their  bands  be 
gan  playing  their  favorite  Southern  airs.  We  seemed 
to  be  just  the  right  distance  from  them.  The  music 
was  entrancing;  instinctively  we  stood  up,  and  un 
covered  our  heads.  We  felt  that  we  were  in  the  pres 
ence  of  the  good  angel  of  peace,  and,  for  the  time  being, 
that  heavenly  harmony  swept  from  our  hearts  all  desire 
to  fight  and  kill,  and  filled  our  souls  with  love  and  good 
will  toward  all  our  fellow  men.  Soon  the  music  ceased, 
and  while  we  stood  there  wondering  if  we  had  really 
been  translated  to  some  celestial  sphere,  and  the  mem 
ory  of  the  past  two  years'  experiences  were  simply  hor 
rid  dreams  which  still  lingered  with  us  even  after  this 
blessed  awakening,  the  eastern  sky  grew  bright  with 
the  flames  of  the  burning  city.  The  rebels  had  applied 
the  torch  and  fled. 

A  part  of  our  forces  returned  to  Vicksburg  after  the 
retreat  of  the  rebel  army  from  Jackson.  During  this 
campaign  the  sick  that  remained  at  Vicksburg  had  to 
care  for  themselves.  Charlie  Pratt  says  that  he  and 
James  Watson  saw  no  human  face  but  each  other's,  un 
til  the  return  of  the  Jackson  forces;  and  then,  nearer 
dead  than  alive,  he  started  home  on  sick  furlough;  he 
thinks  he  never  would  have  seen  that  blessed  spot  again 
had  not  an  agent  of  the  Christian  commission  at  Mem 
phis  given  him  a  bottle  of  blackberry  wine,  which  kept 
soul  and  body  together  until  he  came  under  the  old 
home  roof,  where  his  mother's  care  and  nursing  added 
fifteen  pounds  to  his  weight  in  thirty  days,  and  he  re 
turned  to  the  regiment. 

After  the  fall  of  Jackson  we  were  sent  to  New  Or 
leans,  and  the  next  active  service  was  a  campaign 
through  western  Louisiana— an  ideal  country  for  sol 
diering.  It  was  much  like  our  native  prairies;  the 
plantations  were  well  stocked  with  fat  cattle,  mules, 
horses,  poultry  of  all  kinds,  and  vegetables  in  abund 
ance,  especially  sweet  potatoes.  This  .seemed  like 
"Beulab  land". 

After  this  campaign  we  returned  to  New  Orleans, 
and  were  sent  on  a  sea  voyage  to  Western  Texas,  our 
objective  point  being  the  Rio  Grande.  This  was  an 
entirely  new  experience  to  our  boys,  raised  on  the 
prairies  of  Illinois.  Before  the  end  of  the  voyage  the 
gulf  was  visited  by  one  of  the  worst  storms  that  ever 
swept  over  that  tempestuous  sea.  John  Porter  says  that 
during  that  storm  a  great  many  of  the  Company  E  boys 


136 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


— he  among  the  number— discovered  that  they  could 
sing  like  angels,  but  made  terrible  work  trying  to  pray. 
John  is  not  the  only  one  that  lived  to  tell  stories  about 
that  storm ;  one  of  the  boys  tells  a  pretty  good  one  on 
John.  He  is  willing  to  admit  that  Porter  developed 
into  a  first-class  male  prima  donna,  but  says  that  some 
of  his  ordinary  traits  of  character  were  quite  conspic 
uous  on  that  occasion,  especially  that  one  which  led 
him  to  object  to  being  outdone  by  anyone.  While  the 
storm  was  raging,  and  the  seasick  men  were  trying  to 
get  rid  of  the  contents  of  their  stomachs,  the  Colonel 
came  along  and  said,  "John,  your  stomach  seems  to  be 
a  little  weak;"  when  John's  old  "ruling  passion"  took 
possession  of  him,  and  in  a  tone  of  resentment  he  said, 
"I  don't  know  about  that,  Colonel;  ain't  I  throwing  it 
as  far  as  any  of  them?" 

This  expedition  finally  landed  at  Matagorda  Bay, 
captured  Fort  Esperanza,  and  went  into  winter  quarters 
at  Indianola,  Texas.  Here  we  were  asked  to  re-enlist 
for  three  years.  The  proposition  at  first  was  rather  un 
popular,  but  the  men  were  invited  to  a  council  of  war 
to  be  held  on  the  prairie  some  distance  from  camp, 
where  we  formed  a  hollow  square,  faced  inward,  and 
sat  down.  Major  Elliott  arose  and  said:  "Of  course 
the  officers  are  in  for  the  movement,  we  have  a  good 
thing;  but  I  think  the  enlisted  men  ought  to  have 
something  to  say  ahout  the  matter."  Several  speeches 
were  made,  one  of  which,  as  I  remember,  ran  about  like 
this:  "In  '(>],  I  started  out  in  company  with  Abe 
Lincoln,  U.  S.  Grant,  and  others,  to  put  down  this  re 
bellion,  and  I  propose  to  finish  up  the  job.  Jeff  Davis 
says  that  'the  Yanks  are  only  in  for  three  years;  at  the 
end  of  that  time  they  will  go  home  and  stay;  that  will 
discourage  those  who  have  stayed  at  home,  and  they  will 
not  volunteer;  and  if  they  should,  they  will  be  without 
discipline  or  experience,  and  we  will  have  it  all  our 
own  way  with  them,  and  the  ^  victory  will  be  ours. ' 
Now  I  propose  that  we  crowd  that  lie  right  down  Jeff 
Davis's  throat,  and  1  don't  care  if  it  kills  him." 
Others  expressed  the  same  sentiment,  and  the  motion 
prevailed.  Every  man  in  Company  E  veteranized; 
other  companies  did  nearly  as  well ;  and  we  were  soon 
on  board  the  good  ship  St.  Marie  on  our  way  to  New 
Orleans. 

On  February  22nd,  1804,  we  started  home  on  veteran's 
furlough,  in  high  hopes  of  soon  seeing  father,  mother, 
sisters,  and  "somebody  else".  We  helped  the  boat 
hands  to  wood,  thereby  gaining  several  hours  for  our 
selves,  and  arrived  at  Cairo  ahead  of  time,  where  we 
scrambled  onto  a  lot  of  freight  cars,  in  the  midst  of  a 
drizzling  rain,  and  experienced  almost  everything  but 
comfort  from  there  to  Bloomington,  at  which  place  we 
stepped  off  the  cars  into  mud,  ice,  and  snow,  all  in  a 
mix.  But  the  good  people  of  that  patriotic  city  gave 
us  such  a  royal  reception  that  it  still  lingers  in  our 
memories  like  a  sweet  dream.  Then  everyone  started 
to  his  own,  to  spend  thirty  short  days  of  unalloyed  en 
joyment  in  the  old  home,  and  with  the  friends  we 
loved  so  well. 


At  the  expiration  of  our  furlough,  April  16th,  18(54, 
the  regiment  reassembled  at  ('amp  Butler,  returned  to 
New  Orleans,  and  put  in  the  following  summer  and 
winter  guarding  the  railroad  running  from  Algiers 
west,  through  Louisiana  to  Brashear  City.  Company 
E  was  stationed  at  Terre  Bonne,  had  very  comfortable 
quarters,  and  could  they  have  been  relieved  from  the 
duty  of  guarding  every  old  shack  and  shelter  and  beer 
keg  and  whisky  barrel  — everything,  anything,  and 
nothing,  just  to  keep  the  men  standing  around  out  of 
doors  nights,  and  breathing  the  poisonous  swamp  air, 
many  a  good  man  might  have  been  spared  to  his 
friends  and  his  country.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  in  war 
more  lives  are  destroyed  by  useless  exposure  than  by 
warlike  missiles.  Here  Lieutenant  Marsh,  who  was 
never  very  rugged,  was  obliged  to  resign  on  account  of 
wounds  received  at  Jackson.  No  more  faithful  soldier 
ever  belonged  to  the  company. 

About  the  first  of  March  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
New  Orleans,  to  take  part  in  the  Mobile  campaign  and 
help  to  capture  that,  the  last  rebel  stronghold  of  the 
Confederacy.  We  were  taken  on  board  a  train  of  box 
cars,  and  had  nearly  reached  the  city,  when  we  ran 
over  a  horse,  which  threw  the  train  from  the  track, 
and  we  found  ourselves  in  a  terrible  wreck.  Fortun 
ately  Company  E  was  on  the  rear  car,  and  suffered  only 
slightly  from  this  accident.  George  F.  White,  one  of 
the  bravest  and  best  of  soldiers,  had  his  elbow  crushed. 
He  was  the  only  one  seriously  wounded  in  our  com 
pany.  He  carried  the  regimental  colors,  and  was  al 
ways  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  After  he  was  dis 
abled  Charlie  Pratt  was  selected  for  that  honorable  and 
trying  position,  and  carried  the  flag  through  the  cam 
paigns  that  followed.  He  and  the  Color  Guard,  Lou 
Compton,  Charlie  Moran,  James  Cox,  and  James 
Hinchee,  would  any  of  them  rather  have  died  in  their 
tracks  than  to  see  "Old  Glory"  go  down. 

We  participated  in  the  fourteen  days'  siege  of  Fort 
Spanish,  and  were  on  reserve  at  the  charge  on  Fort 
Blakely.  From  Mobile  the  regiment  marched  to  Mont 
gomery  and  Selma,  Alabama;  and  from  there  were 
taken,  mostly  by  rail,  to  Meridian,  Miss.,  where  the 
company  and  regiment  were  filled  to  the  maximum  by 
transfers  from  other  regiments,  which  some  of  the  boys 
took  as  an  indication  that  we  were  to  be  continued  in 
service  till  the  expiration  of  our  term  of  enlistment. 

At  Meridian  the  last  change  in  the  personnel  of 
Company  E  officers  was  made.  Captain  Pratt,  on  ac 
count  of  ill  health,  resigned.  This  vacancy  caused  the 
following  promotions:  1st  Lieutenant  Byram  to  Cap 
tain,  2nd  Lieutenant  Dwire  to  1st  Lieutenant,  and  1st 
Sergeant  Albert  Cauffman  to  2nd  Lieutenant.  Cauff- 
man  had  the  unenviable  distinction  of  receiving  more 
gunshot  wounds  than  any  other  man  in  the  regiment. 
The  laying  aside  of  the  rifle  and  cartridge  belt  and  put 
ting  on  the  sash  and  sword  did  not  make  him  self-im 
portant,  but  he  was  ever  the  same  Ab.  Cauffman. 

In  August  the  regiment  was  moved  to  Vieksburg, 
where  Company  E  was  called  upon  to  perform  its  share 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


137 


of  the  drudgery  that  was  imposed  upon  them  ;  and, 
true  to  their  nature,  they  resented  this  indignity  in  a 
manly,  though  perhaps  unmilitary,  manner.  When 
the  regiment  was  unceremoniously  sent  away  from  the 
city,  Company  E  went  to  Yazoo  City.  Here  we  en 
joyed  the  beautiful  surroundings,  and  but  little  military 
duty  was  required.  As  we  expected  to  pass  the  winter 
at  this  place,  comfortable  quarters  were  being  fitted  up 
from  material  taken  from  the  burned  Court  House,  near 
which  we  were  camped.  However,  everything  was 
cheerfully  abandoned  when  the  order  came  to  muster 
out  the  regiment.  After  the  muster-out  we  journeyed  to 
Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  where,  on  December  6th,  1865, 
we  were  discharged,  seventeen  of  the  original  company 
answering  to  the  last  roll  call. 

The  writer  of  this  sketch  was  promoted  out  of  the 
regiment  after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  and  though  absent 
in  person  from  Company  E,  was  present  in  spirit,  if 
such  a  thing  be  possible.  I  have  sat  beside  my  old 
comrades  of  Company  E  and  listened  to  the  story  of 
those  last  campaigns  until  I  fancied  I  was  with  them 
and  participated  in  their  joys  and  hardships,  and  I 
know  they  will  grant  me  the  privilege  of  using  the 
pronoun  "we".  In  this  labor  of  love  I  have  received 
the  hearty  co-operation  and  assistance  of  the  surviving 
members  of  the  company,  and  especially  have  Charlie 
Pratt,  Charlie  Morris,  John  M.  Porter  and  R.  R.  Craw 
ford  been  very  helpful ;  and  to  one  and  all  I  desire  to 
express  my  grateful  appreciation.  In  the  briefest 
manner  possible,  the  course  of  the  33rd  has  been  fol 
lowed  in  this  sketch  since  the  end  of  the  Vicksburg 
campaign  in  July,  1863.  Company  E  has  not  been 
made  very  conspicuous,  not  because  it  had  no  separate 
individuality.  A  large  volume  could  be  written  about 
Company  E  alone,  uncovering  a  little  of  the  inner  life 
of  its  members,  that  would  sparkle  on  every  page  like 
a  cluster  of  jewels,  and  in  closing  this  sketch  in  this 
way,  many  of  the  brightest  gems  are  left  covered. 
There  is  a  history  connected  with  every  individual  life 
during  that  memorable  struggle,  which,  if  it  could  be 
told,  would  certainly  verify  the  statement  that  "fact  is 
stranger  than  fiction"  ;  and  when  the  Company  E  boys 
shall  turn  the  leaves  of  their  memory  and  read  the  rec 


ord  there,  and  then  turn  to  this  sketch,  they  will  say 
it  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  what  it  has  left  unsaid. 
Every  member  of  the  company  deserves  individual 
mention,  but  that  must  be  left  until  we  can  read  that 
other  record  where  time  and  space  are  unlimited. 

And  now,  Brother  Comrades,  greeting  and  farewell. 
We  wait  for  no  anniversary  to  scatter  flowers  upon  the 
graves  of  our  fallen.  They  are  kept  ever  green  and  fra 
grant  by  loving  hands.  Though  their  bones  lie  in 
southern  swamp,  on  southern  hill,  or  are  lashed  by 
southern  wave,  we  know  where  to  find  their  sepulchers. 
They  are  builded  in  the  heart  of  each  survivor,  and  at 
that  shrine  we  often  bow  in  homage  and  in  tears.  We 
bear  no  malice  toward  our  fallen  foe.  Long  ago  we 
wrote  upon  their  tombstone  this  epitaph,  "Forgiven". 
Those  who  were  in  this  struggle,  if  they  had  the  true 
concept  of  life,  died  not  nor  fought  not  that  they  might 
kill,  but  fought  and  died  to  bring  peace  and  justice. 
If  we  fought  to  make  this  Nation  great  only,  the 
struggle  was  in  vain.  The  Creator  has  laid  the  foun 
dation  for  greatness,  in  natural  opportunities.  If  we 
build  on  this  foundation  wisely,  we  shall  endure;  if 
unwisely,  we  shall  perish.  The  law  of  Justice  is  inex 
orable;  those  who  keep  it  shall  live;  those  who  violate 
it,  die.  In  those  days  of  carnage  we  hoped,  believed 
and  prophesied  that  when  human  slavery  was  destroyed 
the  last  vestige  of  Satanic  power  would  vanish.  Have 
those  hopes  been  reali/ed?  I  think  we  are  slowly  learn 
ing  that  we  destroyed  slavery  in  only  one  of  its  myriad 
forms.  We  cannot  change  its  character  by  changing 
its  name;  we  cannot  free  the  slave  by  changing  his 
master;  we  cannot  mete  out  justice  to  one  and  deny  it 
to  another;  it  will  be  all  one,  or  all  the  other;  this 
house  cannot  stand  divided  against  itself.  The  Golden 
Rule  is  the  clearest  expression  of  the  law  of  Justice  ever 
uttered.  Lincoln's  immortal  statement  that  "No  man 
was  ever  good  enough  to  govern  another  man  without 
that  other  man's  consent",  should  be  burned  into  the 
soul  of  every  human  being.  Without  a  baptism  of  that 
kind,  Injustice  will  continue  to  reign,  and  our  children 
and  children's  children  will  be  called  upon  to  pass 
through  the  same  fiery  ordeal  into  which  we  were 
plunged  in  1861.  JAMES  N.  BUTLER. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  "E"  COMPANY  ROSTER. 


Number  enrolled  at  organization,  93. 
Recruits  to  company  (not  transfers),  47. 
Transfers  from   72nd,   117th  and   124th   111.   Infty.  at 
Meridian,  Miss.,  July,  1865,  59. 
Transferred  from  other  companies,  1. 
Total  enrollment  during  service,  200. 
Wounded  in  battle  or  by  accident,  18. 
Killed  or  died  from  wound  or  accident,  12. 
Died  from  disease,  14. 
Discharged  by  expiration  of  term  of  service,  6. 


Discharged  from  disability  or  from  parole  taken  at 
Big  River  Bridge,  Mo.,  55. 

Discharged  from  being  supernumerary  non-commis 
sioned  officers,  5. 

Discharged  by  special  order,  1. 

Transfers  to  other  branches  of  the  service,  6. 

Transfers  to  other  companies,  1. 

Promotions  out  of  the  company,  1. 

Discharged  at  final  muster-out,  82. 

Unaccounted  for,  12. 


18 


138 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ROSTER  OF  «E»  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  2  September,  J86J.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  J9  August,  186J.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1865. 


NAME  AMD  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 
Elliott,  Isaac  11. 

Princeton  

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  May,  '63  

Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at   Big   River  Bridge,   Mo.,   15  Oct.,  '61. 

Pratt,  Lyman  M. 

Bureau  Co  

29  May,  '63,  to  5  July,  '65  

Promoted  Major. 
Resigned  for  disability  at  Meridian,  Miss.    Veteran. 

Byram,  William  H  
IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Stone,  Clarendon  A 

Galesburg  
Galesburg  

24  July,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  
3  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  June,  '62  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Resigned  for  disability. 

Bryant,  Julian  F 

Princeton  

18  June,  '62,  to  22  June,  '63.  .  . 

Resigned  for  promotion  as  Colonel  in  96  U.  S.  C.  I.,  at  Vicksburg.  Miss. 

Marsh,  Edward 

Abtngdon  

22  June,  '63,  to  6  June,  '64  

Resigned  at  Terre  Bonne,  La.,  for  disability  from  wound. 

Bvram,  William  H 

Galesburg  

6  June,  '64,  to  24  Julv,  '65  

Promoted  Captain  at  Meridian,  Miss. 

Dwire,  Harrison 

Lamoille  

24  July,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Bryant,  Julian  E 

Princeton  

10  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  June,  '62..  .  . 

Prompted  1st.  Lieutenant  at  Batesville,  Ark. 

Pratt,  Lyman  M.. 

Bureau  Co  

18  June,  '62,  to  29  May,  '63..  .  . 

Promoted  Captain  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Byram,  William  H 

Galesburg  

29  May,  '63,  to  6  June,  '64  

Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Cauffman,  Albert  . 

Princeton  

8  Sept.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

SERGEANT. 
Foster,  George  G  

Bureau  Co  .  .   .. 

13  Aug..  '61,  to  15  Oct.,  '61  .... 

Killed  in  action  at  Black  River  Bridge,  Mo.     He  was  the  first  man  killed 

Pratt,  Lyman  M. 

Bureau  Co 

19  Aug.,  '61  to  18  June,  '62.  .  .  . 

in  the  regiment. 
Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant  at  Batesville,  Ark. 

Marsh,  Edward  
Streeter,  William  B 

Abingdon  
Bureau  Co..  . 

23  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  June,  '63..  .  . 
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  June,  '63.  .. 

Wounded  at  Jackson,  Miss.    Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss. 
Wounded  May  22,  '63.     Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Clark,  George  A  

Galesburg  

14  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '62  

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

CORPORAL. 
Loverin,  Quimby  W. 

Bureau  Co  

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Mch.,  '63.... 

Promoted  Sergeant.     Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Monroe,  George  H  
Bird,  Edward  A 

Galesburg  
Maiden  

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Dec.,  '62.... 
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.... 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Killed  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  as  Color  Sergeant. 

Ward,  Henry  C  

Galesburg  

13  Aug.  '61  to  22  Dec.,  '62  

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Wiswall,  Edward. 

Bureau  Co.  .   . 

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  July,  '63.... 

Promoted  Sergeant.     Discharged  for  promotion  to  a   Lieutenant  in 

Moore.  Charles.. 

Bureau  Co  

12  Aug.,  '61,  to  ....  Sept.,  '61.  .. 

1).  S.  C.  I.,  at  Vicksburg. 
Drowned  in  Mississippi  River.    Suicide. 

Dwire,  Harrison. 

Lamoille  

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  July,  '65  

Promoted  Sergeant.    IstSergeant.    1st  Lieutenant,  at  Meridian,  Miss. 

Grant,  Charles  F 

Bureau  Co  

13  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61.  .  .  . 

Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 

MUSICIAN. 
Davis,  Daniel  W. 

Knox  Co  

14  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Oct.,  '61  

Transferred  to  Company  "I",  33rd  Illinois. 

PRIVWE. 
Anderson,  Abram  P.. 

Galesburg  

14  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Feb.,  '63.  ... 

Discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  disability  caused  by  a  wound  received 

Abbott,  George  W  
Adley,  Samuel. 

St.  Augustine..  . 
Princeton. 

6  Nov.,  '61,  to  15  Jan.,  '64  
1  Jan.,  '62,  to  15  Nov.,  '63  

at  Cache  River,  Ark.,  7  July,  '62. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Transferred  to  I).  S.  V.  R.  C. 
Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps. 

Addcock,  James  J 

Girard  

15  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Anderson,  William  H 

Staunton.. 

17  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  Julv,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Babcock,  Charles 

Bureau  Co  

13  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  

Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 

Barrel),  George  W. 

Knox  Co  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Dec.,  '61  

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Bonnell,  Abram.. 

Lamoille  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  wagoner.    Veteran. 

Beck,  Andrew  J. 

Lamoille  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.    ... 

Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.     Discharged  with 

Butler,  James  N.. 

Galesburg  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  May,  '63  

the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  at  Champion's   Mill,  Miss.    Discharged   at  Vicksburg,   Miss., 

Ballard,  Berrick  M. 

Bureau  Co  

22  Aug.,  '61,  to  6,  Dec.,  '65  

for  promotion  as  Captain  in  3rd  Miss.  C.  I. 
M   O    with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Bonnell.  Daniel 

Bureau  Co  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  June,  '62  

Died  at  Jacksonport,  Ark.    Buried  at  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Bonnell,  Levi 

Lamoille  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Brookbank,  James  C 

Bureau  Co 

j  1  Dec.,  '61,  to  23  Feb.,  '63.  ( 

Discharged  for  disability.    Re-enlisted   in   the  Company.    Promoted 

Brown,  Charles  

Princeton  

22  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    M.  O.  with  the 
regiment.    "Veteran. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"B"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continucd. 


139 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 

Galesburg 

27  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Dec.,  '62.... 
24  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  July,  '64.  ... 
25  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  May,  '63.  ... 

22  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  May,  '63.... 

23  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Men.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
21  Men.,  '  64,  to  8  Aug.,  '64  ... 
J  1  Jan.,  '62,  to  15  Men.,  '63.  f 
j  23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  f 
15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Feb.,  '64,  to  31  Aug.,  '65  ... 

15  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Men.,  '64,  to  31  Aug.,  '65.  .. 

30  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61.... 
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
20  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

29  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
30  Mch.,  '64,  to  17  July,  '65.  .  . 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Brashear  City,  La.    Veteran. 

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  2nd   Lieutenant.    Wounded  22  May   '63 
at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Died  from  wounds  received  at  Vicksburg,  Miss 
22  May,  '63. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,   Mo.    Re-enlisted.    Discharged 
with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Sergeant.    Transferred  from   122  Illinois  July,   '65.    M.   O. 
by  being  supernumerary.    Sergeant. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Transferred  from   122  Illinois    July,    '65.    Dis 
charged  for  being  supernumerary. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  .regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 
Transferred  from  "K"  Company.     Discharged    with  the  regiment  as 
musician. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.     Discharged  for  disability  at  Mound  City,  111. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63,  and  2  Mch.,   '65.    Promoted  Corporal.    Served 
on  Color  Guard.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.   by   expiration   term   of 
service. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois   July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant.    Wounded  at  Big  River 
Bridge,  Mo.,  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Transferred  from   122   Illinois  July,   '65.    M.  O. 
for  being  supernumerary. 
Transferred  'from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by   expiration   term  of 
service. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Died  of  wounds  received  22  May,  '63. 
Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  City  Hospital. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Wounded    2  Mch.,     '65.    Discharged   with   the 
regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.    Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Promoted  O.  M.  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  disability  received  from  wounds. 
Discharged  for  disabilty. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    Sick   in  Hospital  at  M.    O.   of 
regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.   by  expiration  term   of 
service. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 
Discharged  for  wounds  received  15  Oct.,  '61,  at'Big  River  Bridge,  Mo. 
Discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  by  special  order  soon  after  enlistment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Prisoner  of  war.    Never  joined 
company. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 
Captured  15  October,  '61.    Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with   the 
regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Died  at  Ironton.  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  by  general  order. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.   by  expiration   term   of 
service. 

Buriingame,  Spencer.. 

Galesburg  
Galesburg  

Galesburg  
Marengo  

Byram,  William  H  
Buriingame,  William  D  
Ballard,  William  T. 

Lamoille  

Lamoille.. 

Princeton    

Brigham,  Samuel  R  
Babbitt,  Francis  C  

Brown,  Richard  W. 

Girard  
Springfield  

Brown,  Charles  E.. 

Barnesville  

Butterfield   Isaac 

Girard  .. 

Bridges,  Green  W.. 

Colton,  Charles  P 

Bureau  Co  

Bureau  Co  

Crawford   Robert  R 

Bureau  Co  

Chandler,  Thomas  

Chandlerville... 

Ed  wards  vi  lie  ..  . 
Buda  

Cook,  William. 

Clark.  William  H.  H 

Cox,  James  W 

Princeton  

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Cottreall,  George  

Chicago  

22  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Aug.,  '62,  to  25  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 

10  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  Sept.,  '65  

16  Feb.,  '64,  to  31  Aug.,  '65.  .  .  . 
14  Nov.,  '64,  to  14  Nov.,  '65..  .  . 

26  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.  ... 
27  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  June,  63  
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Oct.,  '62  .... 
24  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61.  .  .  . 
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Aug.,  '64.  ... 
22  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Feb.,  '63  
22  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Dec.,  '62.  ... 
1  Oct.,  '62,  to  2  Aug.,  '63  

Carll,  John  D 

Richmond  

Grays,  Richard  M 

Deer  Park  

Boone  

Cautfman,  Albert.. 

Princeton  

Carrington,  John  R 

Paducah,  Kv  

Clevenger,  Joshua  C 

Virden  

Abingdon  

Davis,  John  W  
Davis,  Frank  M  
Dayton,  James  L  

Abingdon  
Galesburg  
Bureau  Co  

Dayton,  Dennis  E 

Lamoille.. 

Lamoille.. 

Dunbar,  James  A.,  Jr  
Dexter,  Elijah  L  

Bureau  Co  
Bureau  Co  

Dickenson,  Charles.       ... 

Bureau  Co  

Dean,  John 

Lamoille  

Dunbar,  Henry  C 

Lamoille  

Alton.            

24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
25  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
30  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Feb.,  '65,  to  

31  Oct.,  '64,  to  30  Oct.,  '65  

22  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
21  Mch.,  '64.  to  .              

Davis,  John  H  
Doyle,  Michael  
Doss,  Randolph. 

Chicago  
Boone  

Doss,  Thomas  
Da\  Lison,  John  W  

Boone  
Groveland  
Bureau  Co  

Edwards,  David  C  

Edwards,  Leander  E. 

Lamoille  .       ... 

Bloomington.  .. 
Chicago  

Girard  

Egan,  Patrick  
Evers,  Christian.            .   . 

25  Jan.,  '64,  to  

15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 
24  Aug.,  '61.  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
1  Jan.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Forbes,  Dorr, 

Lamoille  . 

Foss,  John  W  

Foster,  Henry  L.  ... 

Buda 

Foster,  J.  Marshal. 

Buda 

..Feb.,  '62,  to  '62  

Graves,  Daniel  H 

Lamoille 

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.  .  .  . 
24  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Oct.,  '61.  ... 
29  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  20  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

Green,  Charles  

Bureau  Co  
Wanda  

Gillham,  Samuel  C  

Gray,  Hans  

George,  Gardner  B  
George,  Charles     

Chicago  
Du  Page  Co  
Du  Page  Co  

140 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"B"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Cimtinucd. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF    SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
H'lyslip    Thomas  D 

Bureau  Co  
Lamoille  

31  Aug.,  ,61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  
24  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  July,  '62.  .  .  . 
10  Aug.,  '61,  to  7  Jan.,  '65  
1  Dec.,  '61,  to  12  June,  '63.... 
8  Men.,  '62,  to  30  May,  '63  
1  Jan..  '62,  to  10  Aug.,  '62  
1  Jan.,  62,  to  24  Sept.,  '62  
18  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
15  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
15  Aug.,  '62  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '63,  to  31  Aug.,  '65  

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Dec.,  '62.... 
9  Men.,  '  65,  to  10  Oct.,  '65  
2  Sept.,  '63,  to  31  Aug.,  '65.... 

22  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
22  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
27  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61.  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

2  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
26  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
17  Sept.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63  ... 
10  Men,,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
10  Men.,  '65.  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Terre  Bonne,  La.     Veteran. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.     D,ed  from  same  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Died  from  wounds  received  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  22  May,  '63. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  IPnois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Transferred    from   122   Illinois,   July,   '65.    Dis 
charged  for  being  supernumerary. 
Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  city  hospital. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  from   122   Illinois    July,    '65.    Promoted    Corporal.    Dis 
charged  for  being  supernumerary. 
Served  as  drummer.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.   Veteran. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at   Big  River   Bridge,   Mo.,   15  Oct.,   '61, 
Discharged  for  wounds. 

Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at   B!g  River  Bridge,   Mo.,   15  Oct.,   '61. 
D.scharged  for  wounds. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.   O.   by  expiration   term   of 
service 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61.     Discharged  by  order  of  Genl.  Halleck. 
Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  in  City  Hospital,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Wounded  22  May,  '63.     Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    M.  O.  with  the 
regiment.    Veteran. 

Transferred  to  Col.  Ellet's  Marine  Brigade  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  with  rank 
of  Sergeant.     Promoted  Captain  in  U.  S.  C.  1. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61.    Discharged  for  wounds. 
Wounded  7  July,  '62.    Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Promoted   Corporal.     Discharged   for  disability  at  Vicksburg,   Miss. 
Veteran. 
Transferred  to  "H"  Company. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Promoted  Corporal.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  trom  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     Never  joined  company. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  0.  by  expiration   term  of 
service. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 
Discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  wounds  received  15  Oct.,  '61,  at  Law- 
son  Station,  Mo. 
Served  as  "Company"  fifer.    Discharged  for  disability  atTerre  Bonne, 
La.     Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.     Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  Color  Sergeant, 
1st  Sergeant.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps. 
Tra  nsferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 
Wounded  15  Oct..  '61.    Killed  in  action  at  Vicksbursr.  Miss. 

Hazzani,  Richard  11  

Bureau  Co  

Hills   Parmenus  L.          ... 

Lamoille  . 

Hills,  Allen             

Warren  Co  
Princeton  .   .   . 
Princeton  
Hernsburg  .... 

Macoupin  Co.. 
Saulsbury,  Tenn 

Galesburg 

Harris,  Frank  H  
Hamrick,  Francis  
Hampton.  William  
Hays,  William  H  
Hunt,  Robert  F  
Haycroft,  Felix  

Ireland  William 

Jennings,  James  L  

KnoxCo  
Paducah,  Ky  . 

Kendall,  George  V 

Lame  i  le  

Bureau  Co 

Ketchen,  David  

Bureau  Co 

Klum,  Albert  

Bureau  Co 

Klos,  Henry  

Kentzer,  Isaac  
Lee,  John  W    

Joliet,  111  

Hornsby  
Bureau  Co  

Langworthy,  Louis  C  
Lieurance,  Peter  

Bureau  Co  
Knox  Co  

Lieu  ranee,  Henson  

KnoxCo  

Laughman,  Thomas  

13  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
15  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
22  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Feb.,  '63  .  .  . 
16  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Jan.,  '63..  .. 
10  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63  

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
26  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  .  .  . 
23  Aug,,  '61,  to  23  Feb.,  '63.... 
23  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63  
10  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Oct.,  '65  

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Sept.,  '61  .  .  . 
13  Apr.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
29  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Dec.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Lair,  Jerry  M  

Macoupin  Co... 
Lamoille.. 

A\cCall,  George  W  

Bureau  Co 

Morris   Howard  H 

Bureau  Co 

McClintock,  Joel  M. 

Bureau  Co.  .   .   . 

Metcalf,  Alvin  C 

Princeton 

Miller,  Alexander  C  
Miller,  Mellican  

Bureau  Co  
Bureau  Co  
Avon  .  .  . 

Morris,  Charles  D.        .... 

Bureau  Co  

Morse,  William  B  
Mitchell,  James  A,  

Abingdon  
Eden  

Murphev,  Henry  C        .... 

Wanda  

Red  Bud 

Moredick,  Joshua  11. 

Lamoille  . 

Moran,  Charles  W. 

Princeton  .  . 

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Merles,  Lambert  
Mason,  Traverse  J  
Mitchell,  George  W. 

Chicago  
Chicago  
Chicago... 

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
8  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65     

21  Jan.,  '64,  to 

Maxwell,  James 

Chicago.. 

26  Feb.,  '64,  to 

McKinney,  Spencer  

10  Aug.,  '62,  to  25  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 
7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

McMurty,  Alex.  A  

Sand  Ridge  . 

Norton,  Seba 

Bureau  Co  
Belleville.   .   .. 

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
29  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Nov.,  '62.  .  .  . 
2  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Die.,  '65  

Nicholas,  Cyrus  E  

Overstreet,  Mitchell  E.... 
O'Reilly,  Farrell. 

Galesburg  
Chicago... 

Osborn,  William  C  

Richmond  

10  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

Orr,  Robert  

Virden  

15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Odell,  John  

16  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  ... 
28  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Nov.,  '62.  ... 

23  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  Nov.,  '64  ... 

23  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Jan.,  '62.  .  .  . 
23  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  15  Jan.,  '64  
20  Jan.,  '64,  to  

Palmer,  Thaddeus  W     

Bureau  Co 

Phillips,  Charles  W  

Bureau  Co  

Pigsley,  Prince  W  
Plecker,  James  H  
Porter,  John  M  

Abingdon  
Knox  Co  

Warren  Co  
Bureau  Co  
Abingdon  

Princeton  
Bunker  Hill  

Pratt,  David  D  

Pratt,  Charles  W  
Phelps,  Daniel  W  

Pruit,  Josiah  

Rovce,  Thomas  J..  . 

Bureau  Co..  . 

24  Auir.,  '61,  to  22  May.  '63... 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"jy"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Cuntinued. 


141 


NAA1E  AND  RANK. 


PRIVATE— Continued. 


RESIDENCE. 


Ross,  George  W Edwardsville. . 

Robinson,  George  P Chicago 

Richards,  John  W j  Girard 

Ray,  John  R !  Stirrup  Grove  . 

Reynolds,  Ashel  E I  Sand  Ridge 


TERM  OF  SERVICE. 


14  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . . 
10  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

15  Men..  '64,  to  .    . 


Snegelsiepin,  John  W. 

Stewart,  William 

Smith,  Lucern  F 

Smith,  John  T... 


Bureau  Co. 
Bureau  Co. 
Bureau  Co. 
Knox  Co... 


Shepherd,  John Bureau  Co 

Smith,  James  L Salem  Church  . 

Speedy,  Robert  G Princeton 

Smith,  David  11 !  Lamoille 

Simmons,  Madison !  St.  Augustine.. 

Sanders,  Reamy  A |  Bureau  Co 

Shelhamer,  Charles  E Chicago 

Stevens,  Thomas Chicago 

Smith,  Charles  S !  Staunton 

Stacy,  Thomas |  Palmyra 


Travis,  Ashley 

Taylor,  James 

Todd,  Lewis  P 

Taylor,  George  W 


Bureau  Co. 

Warren 

Fort  Hill... 
Galesburg. 


Trainer,  James I  Chicago. 

Thompson,  William  H.. 

Vaughn,  James  I Knox  Co. 

Wiley,  Walter  S Bureau  Co . 

White,  George  F  .  .    Galva.... 


25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 

7  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

26  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61. 
28  Aug.,  '61  to  26  Nov.,  '61 . . 
26  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61  . 
28  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63. . . 

19  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61. 
28  Dec.,  '63,  to 

22  Aug..  '61,  to  15  Jan.,  '64.. 
30  Men.,  '64,  to  5  Aug.,  '64.. 
6  Nov.,  '61,  to  30  Sept.,  '63. . 
15  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Aug.,  '61.. 
28  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . . 

23  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 
17  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

14  Nov.,  '64,  to  14  Nov.,  '65. 

6  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '61... 

8  Mch.,  '62,  to  5  Feb.,  63.... 
21  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

23  Feb.,  '64,  to 

15  Aug.,  '62,  to  

10  Mch..  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . 

16  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 
26  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  May,  '65.. 


Walker,  Joseph  G Bureau  Co. 

Willis,  George  W Bureau  Co. 

Wright,  James  F '  Princeton  . 

Winship,  Calvin  E Princeton  . 

Watson,  Simeon  D '  Warren  Co 

Watson,  Jason  L j  Galesburg 

Galesburg. 

Princeton  . 


Watson  James  H 

West,  Stephen  A.... 


West,  Anson  B. 


West,  William  N.. 
Walker,  Robert  B. 
Warren,  Henry  S  . 
Wilson,  Samuel  . . 
Zink,  William 


Princeton 


Lamoille. 


Stirrup  Grove. 
Kane  Co... 


Buda. 


1  Dec.,  '61,  to.... Aug.,  '62.. 

26  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Dec.,  '61.. 
31  Aug.,  '61.  to  26  Feb.,  '63.. 
31  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Aug.,  '62. . 

27  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . 
20  Sept.,  '61,  to  22  May,   't>3. 
20  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . 
1  Jan.,  '62,  to  23  Dec.,  '63  . . . 

1  Oct.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

30  Mch.,  '64,  to  28  June,  '64. 
25  Feb.,  '64,  to.. . 


15  Aug.,  '62,  to  25  Oct.,  '65. . 
20  July.  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . . 
22  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . . 


REMARKS. 


Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    Absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 
Discharged  for  disability.  Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 

Transferred  to  gunboat  service  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Taken  prisoner 
15  October,  '61. 

Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  October,  '61. 

Absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  regiment. 

Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps. 

Died  at  Quincy,  m. 

Died  of  disease  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Promoted  Hospital  Steward. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment'. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July, '65.  M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 

Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment, 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Promoted  Corporal.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.  Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  served  on  Color 
Guard.  Discharged  for  disability.  Veteran. 

Died  on  Hospital  Steamer  D.  A.  January. 

Discharged  for  disability.    Taken  prisoner  15  Oct.,  '61. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Died  of  disease  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Killed  in  action  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the   reg't.    Veteran. 

Promoted  Corporal.  Wounded  22  May,  '63,  and  22  June,  '63.  Dis 
charged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  wounds. 

Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65,  in  railroad  accident,  and  22  May,  '63.  M.  O.  with 
the  regiment.  Veteran. 

Died  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.    Promoted  Corporal.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 


142 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  STILLWELL. 
"F"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  HENRY  D.  WINS1IIP. 
"F"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  JOB  CLAYWELL. 
"F"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


143 


ROSTER  OF  "F"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  6  September,  J861.     Mustered  Out  24  November,   1865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  I  August,  J86J.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  J865. 


SYNOPSIS. 


Number  in  company  at  Mi 
Recruits  —  not  transfers 

aster-into-service                       .         79        Killed  in  battle  or  died  from  wounds                                                             8 

.  .   57         Wounded  in  battle  or  hv  arriiii'nt 

Transfers  from  72d,  117th,  and  124th  111.,  at  Me 
Transfers  from  other  companies  or  positio 
Total  enrollment. 

ridian,  Miss.,  July,  '65.  ..  36 
ns                                             1 

Transferred  to  other  branches  of  service  3 

Promotions  from  comnanv.  .                                                                                 .1 

...173        Deserted  .  .                                                                                                                    1 

Discharged  from  disability 
Died  from  sickness. 

f                                                                     23        Number  enrolled  at  Muster-out                                                                     89 

..  14        Unaccounted  for.  ..                                                                                             31 

• 

NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 

Roberts,  Dermont  C  
Gray,  Elijah  H. 

Winchester  
Winchester  
Livingston  Co 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Jan.,  '63  
23  Jan.,  '63.  to  21  Sept.,  '65  ... 
21  Sept.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65.... 

1  Aug,,  '61,  to  12  Jan.,  '63  
12  Jan.,  '63,  to  23  Jan.,  '63  .... 
23  Jan.,  '63,  to  6  May,  '63  
6  May,  '63,  to  24  Men.,  '64  .... 
24  Men.,  '64,  to  21  Sept.,  '65.  .  . 
4  Oct.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65 

Resigned. 
Promoted  Major. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Resigned  for  disability. 
Promoted  Captain. 
Died  at  Chicago,  111.,  while  on  furlough.     Buried  at  Oak  wood  cemetery. 
Promoted  Captain  in  U.  S.  C.  1. 
Promoted  Captain. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Resigned  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Promoted  from  Se.rgt.  Major  to  2nd  Lieut.     Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant.    Veteran. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Never  was  mustered  as  2nd   Lieutenant.    Discharged   with  the  regi 
ment  as  1st  Sergeant.    Veteran. 

M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of'service.    Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Wounded  1  May,  '63.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 
as  private. 

Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Discharged   for  disability  at  Vicksburg,   Miss. 
Veteran. 
Promoted  Sergeant,  1st  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  as  private  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Served  b>  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 
as  private. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 
as  private. 
Died  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 
as  private. 

Promoted  Principal  Musician.    Veteran. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with   the   regiment.    Wounded  at  Champion's  Hill,  and 
Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 
Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Drowned  at  sea  while  on  board  Steamer  North  Carolina.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  1st  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Stillwell,  John 

IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Winship,  Henry  D..     .. 

Princeton 

Gray,  Elijah  H. 

Winchester  
Ancona  . 

McKee,  George  W. 

Wilson,  John  X  

Bloomington.  .. 
Livingston  Co 

Stillwell,  John       .   . 

Claywell,  Job. 

Winchester 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Chumley,  David  A. 

Winchester  
Winchester  
Ancona  
Bloomington.  .. 
Livingston  Co.. 
Winchester  
Reading  

Lvnville  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Aug.,  '62 

Gray,  Elijah  H. 

5  Aug.,  '62,  to  12  Jan.,  '63  
12  Jan.,  '63,  to  23  Jan.,  '63  
23  Jan.,  '63,  to  6  May,  '63  
6  May,  '63,  to  24  Men.,  '64  
2  May,  '65,  to  4  Oct.,  '65 

McKee,  George  W  
Wilson,  John  X.. 

Stillwell,  John  
Claywell,  Job  

Barrows,  Otis  T  
SERGEANT. 
Anderton,  George  H  

4  Oct.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Gordan,  Benton  
Sorralls,  Peter  D  
Gray,  Elijah  H  
Tuke,  William  

CORPORAL. 
Willis,  David  

Lynville  
Lynville  
Winchester  
Lynville  

Winchester.   . 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  .... 
1  Aug..  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.   .  . 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Aug.,  '62  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Oct.,  '65  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Aug.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Men.,  '62  .... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Sept.,  '62.  ... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '64  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Men.,  '64  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ..... 

15  Feb.,  '65,  to  2  Men.,  '65  
6  Sept.,  '61,  to  18  July,  '65.  ... 
29  Feb.,  '64,  to  ?2  July,  '65.  ... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Dec.,  '64  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Oct.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Dec.,  '62  

Claywell,  Job  
Martin,  Joel  E  
Daily,  Joseph  

Winchester  
Winchester  
Scott  Co 

t 
Batty,  Robert  A  

Perrv,  Mose  H  

Lynville  

Berrv.  Lafe  M.  .. 

Winchester  

Lynville  
Livingston  Co.. 

Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 

Lynviile  
Madison  Co  
Chicago  
Sunbury 

MUSICIAN. 

Dickenson,  Piercy  
Trimble,  Matthe  w  M  

PRIVATE. 

A  rmon,  George  W  
Armon,  Philip  
Argubright,  John  T. 

Ayers,  Thomas  

Andrews,  William  H  
Allen,   James  
Benley,  Aaron  C 

Barrows,  Otis  T  
Burns,  Robert. 

Reading  
Reading 

144 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


'F"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Baker,  John  

Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb.,  '62 

Killed  accidentally  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Baker,  Joel  

Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment      Veteran 

Burgess,  Samuel  '  
Batty,  John  

Winchester  
Lvnville  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Sept.,  '62.... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Feb.,  '64  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans. 

Bean,  William  
Baker,  Henry  

Scott  Co  
Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Brennan,  Matthew  

Lynville  

29  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Bybee,  William  

Lynville  

15  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Baird,  Isaac.. 

Oxville  

23  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Brown,  Wm.  T. 

Livingston  Co.. 

3  Nov.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Beary,  Daniel  
Bondfield,  Thomas  
Benedict,  Edwin  M  

Chicago  
Chicago  
Batavia  

26  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Mch..  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
17  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Camp,  John  

Livingston  Co.  . 

1  Aug.,  '61.  to                       .... 

Carlton,  John  B. 

Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran 

Caves,  Horton. 

Winchester. 

1  Aug  ,  '61,  to 

Clay  well,  George. 

Winchester  

29  Feb,,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Campbell,  Joel  E  

Winchester  

21  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .  .  :  . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Carpenter,  David  

Avoca  

17  Jan.,  '65,  to  10  Aug.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability. 

Carpenter,  Adam  
Carrington,  James  . 

Avoca  
Bloomington.  .. 

17  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
27  Sept.,  '64,  to  10  Aug.,  '65.  .. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Cordes,  Henry  
Cleveland,  John  H 

Chicago  
Batavia  ... 

24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Coolige,  Josiah  L..  . 

Batavia  

10  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Davis,  John  .  . 

Lynville  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Mch.,  '63  

Dickenson,  Hartas. 

Lynville  

29  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Dickenson,  Francis  . 

Lynville   

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  7  June,  '65  

Died  at  Meridian,  Miss. 

Descellar,  William  
Dickenson,  Samuel.. 

Lynville  
Lynville  

15  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Feb.,  '65,  to  2  Mch.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Killed  in  R.  R..  accident  near  Boutee  Station.  La. 

Davis,  Thomas 

Lynville  

29  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Dean,  David  
Davis,  Michael 

Batavia  
Batavia  

18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Ecclefield,  John  
Evans,  Hezekiah. 

Lynville  
Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  July,  '64  
29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability. 

Errickson,  Ira  
Ellis,  Seaton  S. 

Livingston  Co.. 
Oxville  

17  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Eskey,  Frederick 

Bloomington.  .  . 

8  Feb.,  '63,  to  10  Feb.,  '63  

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Fox,  Thomas 

Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Sept.,  '62  

Fish,  Edward  F  .  . 

Batavia  

27  Feb..  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Sept.,  '62. 

Garrison,  James. 

Winchester. 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Gill,  Charles 

Lynville  . 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Griffin,  Martin  

Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Jan.,  '63  

Discharged  for  disability. 

Gwin,  Joseph  

Winchester  

17  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.     Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Goodyear,  John  S  
Graham,  Alexander. 

Winchester  
Oxville  . 

17  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec..  '65  
24  Feb..  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

1  Dec.,  '61,  to  

Graff,  Ernest  
Greene,  Thomas  E 

Chicago  
Chicago... 

11  Feb  ,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
3  May,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Gorman,  Patrick  

Chicago  

21  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Hoover,  Jacob. 

Winchester 

1  Aug,,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

llelden,  George  ..  . 

Winchester.  . 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Hains,  Joseph  
Kains,  William  
Hester,  Oilman  K  
Hope,  George  W 

Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 
Winchester 

1  Aug  ,  '61,  to  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  7  Nov.,   '62  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Nov.,  '61  .... 
22  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo.    Buried  in  Amity  tp.,  Livingston  Co.,  111. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Hayson,  William  
Halderman,  John  
Henry,  James  

Bloomington.  .  . 
Dwight  
Oxville  

5  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Hawkins,  Hugh  
Hay  ward,  William  
Jackson,  Peter  
Johnson,  Jacob  

Chicago  
Chicago  
Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 

10  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
30  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
17  Jan.,  '65,  to  4  Sept.,  '65  
17  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Joy,  Francis  F. 

Virgil  

1  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  65. 

Kane,  James 

27  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Kelley,  Absalom  B  
Lauderback,  Thomas  
Lauderback,  William  L  
Laycock.  Elihu  

Bloom  tie  Id  
Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.  . 

15  Feb.,  ;65,  to  2  Mch.,  '<>S  .... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Sept.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  May,  '64  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Oct.,  '65  

Killed  in  accident  on  R.  R.,  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Veteran. 
Died  at  home  while  on  furlough.    Veteran. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Discharged  for  disability.    Veteran. 

Long,  John  F  

Lynville  

15  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Lewis.  Henry  P 

Winchester  

29  Feb.,  '64,  to  1  Nov.,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Layman,  Orville  
Lyzott,  Charles  F  

Chicago  
Chicago  

29  Jan..  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration   term  of  service.    Transferred   from   72  Illinois 
July,  '65. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"F"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


145 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PKIVATF—  Continued. 
Lappin,  Charles  

Warrenville  

11  Feb.,  '64,  to. 

Never  reported  to  company.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July   '65 

Layman,  John. 

Kewanee  . 

22  Men.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July   '65 

Lewis,  James  M  

Galesburg  

9  Feb.,  '64  to  

Prisoner  of  war.     Never  reported  to  company.    Transferred   from   72 

Morris,  Andrew  
McDugal.  Geo.  W  

Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Oct.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

AVcMawn,  Wm.  P 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Mch.,  '63 

Morris,  David  M 

Livingston  Co. 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Oct.,  '65 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Yazoo  City,   Miss 

McKee,  Geo.'W 

Anconn 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Jan.,  '63 

Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant 

Alartin,  William 

Winchester 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Dec.,  '62. 

Discharged  for  disability. 

McKee,  John  R  
Miner,  Howard  

Morgan  Co  
Winchester.  .  .  . 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Nov.,  '61,  to  14  Sept.,  '62  ... 

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.     Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Killed  in  action  at  Bolivar,  Miss. 

McEwcn,  Robert  

Chicago... 

27  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Murphy,  William  
Massee,  Russell  L  
McDonald,  Valentine  
Morris,  William  H  

Chicago  
Batavia  
Batavia  
Ancona  

4  Jan  ,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
12  Feb.,  '64.  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
13  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '62 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Died  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo 

Nigh,  Jasper  

Livingston  Co.. 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 

Northcut,  Arch 

Scott  Co 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec    '65 

INickerson,  William  
Ostrander,  Charles  H  
Olson,  John     . 

Livingston  Co.. 
Reading  

17  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
17  Jan  ,  '65,  to  6  Dec    '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Perry,  Thomas  
Piper,  William  

Livingston  Co.. 
Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61  to  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to            '62 

Died  at  home  while  absent  without  leave.    Time  expired.    Left   regi 
ment  14  Nov.,  '61,  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
Deserted  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Prendaville,  Patrick  
Potter,  Joseph  
Perry,  Thomas  C  
Planter,  Daniel     .  .   . 

Winchester  
Lynville  
Pontiac  
Pontiac 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  April,  '64.... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Mch.,  '64,  to  26  Dec.,  '65  .  .  . 
">H  Mch     '64   to  6  Dec     '65 

Died  while  home  on  furlough.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.     Veteran. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Buried  in  Amity  tp.,  Livingston  Co.,  111. 

Potter,  Ralph  

Lynville  

15  Feb.,  '65,  to  2  Mch     '65 

Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 

Price.  William  H  

Batavia  . 

12  Feb.,  '64  to  6  Dec     '65 

Quiglev,  Thomas  . 

Winchester 

29  Feb    '64  to  6  Dec    '65 

Reynolds,  Thomas  
Reccord,  Isaac. 

Winchester  
Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
1  Aug     '64   to  15  Mch     '64 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Transferred  to  U   S   I   C 

Reynolds,  Thomas  J  
Richey.  John  H  
Runkle,  Daniel  D  
Richardson,  William 

Winchester  
Winchester  
Winchester  
Chicago  

22  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
12  Sept.,  '62,  to  20  Aug.,  '65.  .. 
4  Jan..  'f>4,  to 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Prisoner  of  war.     Never  reported.    Transferred  from  72  111.,  July,  '65. 

Roff,  Cvrus  R  . 

Batavia  

16  Feb     '64   to  6  Dec     '65 

M.  O   with  the  regiment     Transferred  from  124  Illinois  Julv,  '65. 

Reynolds,  William  L  
Schriver,  Joseph  

Winslow  
Livingston  Co.. 

17  Oct.,  '64,  to  16  Oct.,  '65  .... 
1  Aug.,  ,61,  to  6  Dec..  '65. 

M.  O.  bv  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred   from    124   Illinois 
July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Starkley,  Conley  S  

Livingston  Co.  . 

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Feb     '63 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Shackleton,  John  O  
Stillwell,  John  
Stephenson,  George  
Sharp,  Martin  11  
Sperry,  Socrates 

Ancona  
Livingston  Co.. 
Lynville  
Lynville  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Sept.,  '62.  .  .  . 
1  Aug.,  '()!,  to  6  May,  '63  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  
1  Aug     '61    to  11  Oct     '64 

Died  near  Helena,  Ark. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.,  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  bv  expiration  term  of  service 

Shurvington,  Henry  
Shihley,  Augustine  
Strainham,  Charles  . 

Dwight  
Winchester  
Chicago  

24  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1')  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
,S  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  65. 

Smith,  John  W 

I'  r  ban  a 

23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec     '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  f.iom  72  Illinois  Julv,  '65. 

Swanson,  August  

Galesburg  

19  Feb.,  '64,  to 

Prisoner  of  war.    Never  reported.    Transferred  from  72  111.,  July,  '65. 

Thomas,  Edward  
Thomas,  Charles  W  
Towning,  Charles  
Taylor,  Jasper  
Ulrich,  Frederick  
Wilson,  Thomas  
Williams,  John 

Livingston  Co.. 
Livingston  Co.. 
Lynville  
Winchester  
Chicago  
Livingston  Co.. 
Oxville  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  Dec.,  '62  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '64  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Nov.,  '63.... 
2<s  Mch.,  '<>4,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Nov.,  '61  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Indianola.  Tex. 
Died  at  New  Orleans.  La. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Willibee,  James  

Lvnville... 

1  Aug.,  '61  to 

Wilson,  James  
Willibee,  Skelton  
Wilson,  Daniel. 

Lynville  
Lynville  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Aug.,  '63  
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Dec.,  '62  
1  Aug.,  '61   to  11  Oct    '64 

Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Served  by  transfer  in  9<»  Illinois.    M.  O.  bv  expiration  term  of  service. 

Williams,  George  
West,  William  
Wells,  Edward  W 

Oxville  :  
Winchester  
Winchester  

1  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64   .... 
1  Aug.,  '61,  to  
24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  musician. 

Webster,  Charles  G  
Williams,  Edward  ... 

Winchester  
Oxville  

31  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  D  jc.,  '65  
1  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Walter,  Jerome  . 

Oxv'ille 

23  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Witzel,  Frederick 

Chicago.. 

12  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Wood,  Clark  
Young,  Charles  J  

Batavia  
Winchester.  .  .  . 

29  Mch.,  'M,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
31  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  ... 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Young,  Thomas  N  

Bloomington  .  .  . 

30  Apr.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

146 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  BONTERfi. 


CAPTAIN  IRA  MOORE. 
"G"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  T.  RUSSELL. 
"G"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  GEORGE  P.  ELA. 
"G"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  O.  LUCIUS  REW. 
"G"  COMPANY. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  RUSSELL  PUNTENNEY. 
"G"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


147 


"G"  COMPANY  SKETCH. 

BY  W.  C.  ARNOLD. 


G  Company  was  made  up  largely  of  McLean  county 
men.  It  represented  a  young,  vigorous  and  intelligent 
manhood.  Less  than  a  dozen  men  of  the  company  had 
passed  the  age  of  forty  ;  a  large  majority  of  them  were 
helow  thirty,  and  at  least  twenty  of  them  were  under 
age  when  they  enlisted.  Besides  native  born  Ameri 
cans,  its  personnel  included  seven  citizens  of  foreign 
birth.  As  a  rule  they  were  men  of  good  moral  charac 
ter  and  subsequently  proved  themselves' men  of  excep 
tional  courage  under  the  most  trying  circumstances  of 
army  life.  They  were  loyal  to  each  other  and  to  their 
superiors  in  office.  Always  ready  to  maintain  their 
personal  and  "Company"  honor,  they  went  wherever 
duty  called  and  made  a  record  than  which  no  other 
volunteer  company  in  the  Civil  War  had  a  more  honor 
able  one.  It  was  recruited  by  Ira  Moore,  with  head 
quarters  at  Bloomington.  The  first  recruits  rendez 
voused  at  the  old  St.  Nicholas  hotel.  When  forty  or 
more  had  been  enrolled  they  were  sent  to  Camp  Butler, 
where  they  were  joined  by  squads  from  Lexington  and 
other  places. 

The  company  organized  at  Camp  Butler  on  the  20th 
day  of  August,  1861,  and  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  with  the  33rd  Illinois  Regiment  for  three 
years  on  the  6th  day  of  September,  1861.  The  company 
officers  were : 

Captain^ Ira  Moore,  Bloomington. 

1st  Lieutenant— George  P.  Ela,  Bloomington. 

2nd  Lieutenant — William  Elbert,  Lexington. 

1st  Sergeant — David  H.  Hakes,  Rock  Island. 

Duty  Sergeants — John  T.  Russell,  Lexington;  Warren 
Shannon,  Bloomington;  Jeremiah  E.  Waldon,  Selma ; 
Henry  M.  C.  Storey,  Hey  worth. 

Corporals— Russell  Puntenney,  Lexington  ;  James 
Limber,  Hey  worth  ;  Melmon  M.  White,  Towanda ; 
Jackson  Sprague,  Lexington ;  Christopher  Bowman, 
Chicago;  Samuel  C.  Taylor,  Selma;  Nathan  L.  Spen 
cer,  Fairbury ;  John  S.  Meeley,  Lexington. 

Musicians — Joseph  P.  Davis,  Drummer,  Lexington  ; 
John  A.  Fulwiler,  Fifer,  Lexington. 

We  left  Camp  Butler  Sept.  26,  1861,  going  with  the 
regiment  via  St.  Louis  to  Ironton,  Mo.  That  post  was 
then  seriously  threatened  by  Jeff  Thompson's  army, 
and  alarms  were  frequent.  The  artillery  arm  of  the  ser 
vice  was  not  well  represented,  but  there  happened  to  be 
four  old-fashioned  six-pounder  field  pieces  and  two 
thirty-two-pounder  Parrott  guns  at  the  post,  with  no 
one  to  use  them.  A  detail  of  men  from  G  Company 


was  assigned  to  handle  these  guns.  They  were  required 
to  drill  once  a  day  in  both  heavy  and  light  artillery 
practice,  with  Lieutenant  Purcell  of  the  United  States 
Artillery  Corps  as  instructor.  The  writer  remembers 
well  the  attitude  and  voice  of  the  Lieutenant  as  he 
shouted  the  command  "Ram!"  or  as  he  would  say 
when  the  boys  were  a  little  slow,  "Ram!  why  don't 
you  ram?"  This  four-gun  battery,  manned  by  the 
G  Company  detail,  took  part  in  the  Fredericktown 
fight  of  October  21st,  1861.  The  remainder  of  the  com 
pany  were  with  the  regiment  at  that  place.  In  speak 
ing  of  this  affair  Joe  Kendrick,  who  was  with  the 
battery,  says : 

"Our  column  from  Pilot  Knob  made  a  night  march 
and  arrived  at  Fredericktown  several  hours  in  advance 
of  Col.  Plummer's  troops  from  Cape  Girardeau,  with 
whom  we  were  to  co-operate  against  Jeff  Thompson's 
army.  We  entered  the  town  without  opposition, 
Thompson  having  vacated  it  and  gone— we  knew  not 
whither.  Every  trace  of  his  army  had  disappeared, 
and  the  few  citizens  remaining  in  the  town  would  give 
out  no  information  as  to  his  whereabouts.  Plummer's 
troops  arrived  about  noon,  and  his  command,  with  a 
few  dozen  cattle  in  advance,  moved  up  the  road  uncon 
scious  that  they  were  going  directly  toward  the  Thomp 
son  outfit,  which  was  hidden  in  the  woods  a  mile  or 
two  distant.  Presently  his  position  was  uncovered,  and 
the  rattle  of  musketry  and  the  booming  of  cannon  told 
us  the  battle  was  on.  Schofield's  battery  went  to  the 
front  at  full  speed  and  in  a  few  moments  we  heard  his 
guns  replying  to  those  of  the  enemy.  'Any  orders  for 
these  guns'."  asked  our  Lieutenant  of  a  passing  aid-de 
camp.  'Yes,  go  to  the  front  at  once.'  We  started  but 
had  not  gone  more  than  two  hundred  yards  when  an 
other  aid  ordered  us  back  to  the  court  house,  saying, 
'The  General  directs  that  you  stay  there  until  further 
orders.'  This  order  was  a  welcome  one  to  us.  We  did 
not  like  the  noise  they  were  making  over  in  the  timber. 
We  remained  at  the  court  house  until  the  fight  was 
over;  then  we  returned  with  the  command  to  Ironton." 

Every  available  man  was  taken  on  this  expedition 
which  started  from  Pilot  Knob.  Sergt.  Storey  and  nine 
men  (including  the  writer)  were  left  behind  to  guard 
the  post  property,  including  the  two  big  Parrott  guns. 
Our  squad  stood  by  these  guns  day  and  night  for  nearly 
a  week  and  kept  them  trained  on  the  only  two  roads 
from  which  an  attack  might  be  expected.  We  felled  a 
dozen  or  more  trees  on  the  hillside,  partly  to  give  us  a 


148 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  RONTKRN. 


letter  range  and  partly  to  obstruct  the  approach  of  an 
enemy.  We  drilled  a  great  deal  and  were  prepared  to 
fire  the  powder  magazine  and  spike  the  guns  in  case 
we  should  have  to  abandon  them.  Cavalry  scouts  wor 
ried  us  almost  daily  with  discouraging  reports  from  the 
front.  About  the  time  the  battle  was  going  on  a  lone 
cavalryman  brought  the  report  that  our  little  army  had 
been  defeated  and  was  in  full  retreat,  with  an  over 
whelming  force  of  the  enemy  pressing  its  flanks  and 
rear.  To  add  to  our  loneliness  and  apprehensions,  the 
steam  whistle  at  the  Pilot  Knob  smelter  works  blew 
continuously  day  and  night  for  about  seventy-two 
hours,  presumably  as  a  warning  of  danger,  and  to  at 
tract  the  attention  of  any  Union  force  that  might  come 
within  hearing.  Owing  to  our  inexperience  in  army 
life  the  strain  was  a  severe  one,  and  no  language  can 
express  the  relief  we  felt  at  the  safe  return  of  our  com 
rades  a  few  days  later.  This  was  our  first  and  last  ex 
perience  as  an  artillery  company. 

On  returning,  the  company  settled  down  to  the  rou 
tine  duties  of  infantry  service,  and,  with  others,  re 
sumed  the  construction  of  Fort  Hovey,  which  we  then 
believed,  when  completed,  would  be  impregnable,  but 
two  years  later  would  hardly  have  given  it  a  serious 
thought  as  a  work  of  defense  against  artillery.  A  chain 
of  guards  was  kept  around  our  camp  after  nightfall, 
and  no  one  was  permitted  to  pass  in  or  out  without  the 
countersign.  Even  in  day  time  the  men  were  not  al 
lowed  to  leave  camp  without  passes,  good  only  for  a 
limited  time. 

On  one  occasion  a  soldier  got  a  pass  to  go  to  the  vil 
lage,  a  third  of  a  mile  away.  He  stayed  over  time  and 
returned  after  the  guards  had  been  posted  and  instructed 
for  the  night.  His  position  was  embarrassing,  and 
while  looking-  forward  to  a  probable  term  of  twenty- 
four  hours  in  the  guard  house  for  disobedience  of  or 
ders,  he  approached  the  "gate",  where  was  posted  John 
Yenue,  a  German  guard  from  G  Company,  who  broke 
the  silence  with  "Haldt !  Who  gone  dot  vay?1'  and  the 
soldier  replied,  "P"riend  without  the  countersign.1' 
"Vy  you  don't  got  him  alretty  yet?"  "I  was  up  town 
when  it  was  given  out."  "No  con  hellep  dot;  you 
must  der  goundersign  gift'. "  "Can't  do  it. "  "Vat?" 
"Don't  know  it."  "Better  you  don't  make  some  fool 
ishness  mit  me.  Say  'Lincoln'  alretty,  py  d — in,  or  I 
schoot  you  some  more  yet."  The  countersign  was 
"Lincoln",  and  on  repeating  it  the  soldier  was  per 
mitted  to  pass  on  and  John  was  left  to  enjoy  the  con 
sciousness  of  having  done  what  he  believed  to  be  his 
duty. 

Wash.  W.  Sowards  relates  a  picket  incident  that  well 
illustrates  our  early  soldier  life:  "My  first  night  on 
picket  guard  was  an  eventful  one.  'Bill'  Edwards, 
'Arch'  Thompson,  'Fling'  Highland  and  myself  were 
posted  on  the  Middle  Brook  road  a  mile  from  Pilot 
Knob.  About  midnight  we  got  gay  and  were  soon 
guilty  of  twice  violating  orders— first  by  building  a  fire 
and  then  by  robbing  a  hen  roost.  We  had  dressed  our 
chickens  and  begun  to  fry  them,  when  the  pattering 


of  horse  feet  was  heard  in  the  distance.  I  soon  dis 
covered  that  it  was  a  single  horseman — perhaps  a  scout 
coming  our  way,  and  sent  'Fling'  to  the  road.  He  got 
there  on  time  and  yelled  'Halt!  Who  comes  there?' 
The  rider  reined  up  his  horse  and  replied,  'Officer  of 
the  day.'  'I  don't  believe  you,'  said  'Fling.'  'If  you 
are  an  officer  of  the  day,  what  in  thunder  are  you 
prowling  around  in  the  night  for?  Come  up  here, 
youngster,  until  I  see  who  you  are.'  The  rider  ad 
vanced  close  up  and  was  recognized  as  the  Major  of  the 
1st  Nebraska  regiment.  'You  are  all  right,  Major;  dis 
mount  and  eat  some  chicken  with  us.'  With  these 
words  'Fling'  inverted  his  gun  (the  only  one  in  the 
crowd),  jabbed  the  bayonet  in  the  ground  and  turned 
toward  the  fire.  In  the  meantime  the  Major  had  dis 
mounted,  and  seizing  the  gun,  he  ordered  the  guards  to 
surrender.  The  next  moment  he  was  looking  into  the 
business  ends  of  four  revolvers  and  unable  to  enforce  his 
demand.  'Drop  that  gun,'  said  'Fling'  ;  'it  represents 
814  to  me,  and  I've  no  notion  of  digging  up  that 
amount  for  I'm-le  Sam  just  now.'  The  Major  yielded 
to  the  force  of  circumstances,  hitched  his  horse  and 
joined  us  at  the  fire.  After  eating  heartily  of  chicken, 
hardtack  and  coffee  he  rose  to  his  feet  and  said,  'Boys 
put  the  fire  out. '  I  then  asked  him  for  the  counter 
sign,  which  he  gave,  and  turned  to  go.  'Hold  on,' 
said  'Fling'  ;  'you  wait  until  I  get  a  good  grip  on  that 
gun.  This  duck  may  be  all  right,  but  I  don't  care  to 
take  any  chances  with  him.'  'Fling'  got  the  gun  and 
the  Major  rode  away.  I  doubt  if  he  reported  the  affair, 
as  we  heard  nothing  from  it." 

About  the  last  of  November  we  went  into  winter 
quarters  in  the  deserted  village  of  Arcadia,  where  G 
Company  occupied  the  houses  at  the  extreme  west  end 
of  the  main  street,  less  than  half  a  mile  from  our  ori 
ginal  camp.  In  November  Privates  Isaac  Brittingham, 
William  Clafiin,  John  Carver  and  Aimer  Smith  died 
from  disease.  In  January  Privates  Arthur  H.  Dillon, 
William  L.  Hickman,  Silas  D.  Perry  and  Albert  Bate- 
man  were  discharged  for  disability,  and  in  February 
First  Sergeant  David  H.  Hakes  and  Privates  Levi  F. 
Harson  and  William  McCracken  were  transferred  to 
gunboat  service  on  the  Mississippi  river.  Private  Ly- 
sander  C.  Howard  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  First 
Sergeant,  and  Private  Nathan  L.  Kinsey  to  the  rank 
of  Corporal. 

About  the  first  of  March,  1862,  we  bade  farewell  to 
our  pleasant  quarters  and  moved  southward  toward  the 
"land  of  cotton",  passing  through  Patterson  and  Green 
ville.  On  March  8th  at  this  place  John  Bryne,  a 
bright  young  Irish  boy,  died  and  received  a  soldier's 
burial.  We  reached  Reeves'  Station  on  the  12th  of 
April.  While  at  Reeves'  Station  Revilo  S.  Krum, 
Philip  Miller  and  Isaac  Strayer— all  willing  soldiers, 
lacking  only  in  the  power  of  physical  endurance— were 
discharged.  Krum  afterwards  joined  the  94th  Illinois 
at  its  organization,  was  promoted  to  a  Sergeant,  and 
served  until  it  was  discharged.  We  crossed  into  Arkan 
sas  at  Pittman's  Ferry  and  continued  our  march  via 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


149 


Pocahontas  to  Hatesville.  where  we  joined  the  army  of 
General  Curtis  from  Pea  Ridge.  From  that  place  G 
Company  alone  made  a  three  daj's'  expedition  to  Wild 
Haw,  and  returned  with  a  lot  of  fine  mules  for  the 
Government  wagon  service. 

Leaving  Batesville  about  the  16th  day  of  June,  we 
marched  to  White  river,  which  we  crossed  on  pontoon 
bridges,  and  camped  on  the  east  side  at  Jacksonport. 
While  there  some  of  the  boys  had  a  unique  and  thrill 
ing  experience  which  they  never  cared  to  have  re 
peated.  Just  above  camp  was  a  big  raft  of  logs  on 
which  had  been  left  several  axes  and  coils  of  rope.  It 
was  tied  up  to  the  shore  of  a  small  bay  at  the  confluence 
of  the  Black  and  White  rivers.  The  men  were  often 
tempted  to  take  a  ride  on  it,  and  one  day  Captain 
Moore,  with  other  officers  and  men,  went  aboard  with 
that  intent.  Believing  they  could  "snub"  the  raft  and 
disembark  at  any  place  they  might  select,  they  cut 
loose  and  floated  out  into  the  current,  which  carried 
them  swiftly  down  the  White  river.  Then  becoming 
alarmed  they  threw  lines  ashore  and  began  the  fruitless 
experiment  of  "snubbing"  a  raft.  Presently  they  were 
at  the  picket  post  two  miles  below  camp,  shouting 
frantically  to  the  guards  to  catch  their  lines  and  make 
them  fast,  which  they  did,  only  to  see  them  snap  like 
tiny  strings,  while  the  raft  Avent  on  as  though  nothing 
had  happened.  Then  the  excited  crew  used  their  axes 
to  cut  the  raft  apart,  but  failing  to  separate  the  pieces, 
gained  nothing  in  that  way.  A  mile  below  the  picket 
post  was  ().  L.  Taylor  of  Company  C  and  the  writer, 
engaged  in  building  a  ferry  boat.  When  opposite  us 
the  crew  threw  their  last  line— a  two-inch  rope — to  the 
writer,  who  made  it  fast  to  a  tree  and  saw  it  snap  like 
a  thread.  A  few  moments  later  the  voyagers,  still  yell 
ing  like  mad,  had  rounded  a  bend  and  were  out  of 
sight.  They  went  ashore  in  an  eddy  about  four  miles 
further  down,  and  returned  by  the  river  road.  The 
picket  guard  arrested  them  for  being  outside  the  lines 
without  leave,  and  marched  them  to  camp,  where  they 
were  reprimanded  and  dismissed  to  quarters. 

On  one  occasion  we  marched  until  the  moon  had 
risen,  and  then  halted  for  the  night  on  a  wooded  slope 
facing  the  Black  river.  Sentinels  were  posted  and  we 
lay  on  our  arms  expecting  an  attack.  It  came,  but  in 
a  manner  different  from  the  expected.  Overcome  with 
fatigue,  the  whole  line  fell  asleep,  and  the  silence  that 
followed  was  broken  with  "Shboy !"  Instantly  a  score 
of  men  were  on  their  feet,  only  to  see  a  bear  shuffling 
away  through  the  brush.  Bruin  had.  come  up  to  the 
line  and  sniffed  in  the  face  of  "Uncle  Billy"  Tim- 
mons,  who  awoke  with  the  exclamation  that  had  been 
the  innocent  cause  of  alarm. 

We  left  Jacksonport  about  July  1st  and  celebrated  the 
Fourth  at  Augusta.  On  the  7th  was  fought  the  battle 
of  Cotton  Plant.  At  10  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  that 
day  Company  G  was  sent  back  on  the  Jacksonport  road 
to  guard  a  forage  train.  When  three  miles  out  we  met 
General  Osterhaus'  division  and  returned  to  camp,  a 
mile  north  of  Cotton  Plant.  The  fight  was  then  on, 


and  Capt.  Moore  led  us  on  double  quick  to  the  battle 
field,  where  we  arrived  just  as  the  enemy  was  retreat 
ing.  Soon  after  the  enemy  had  retreated  in  two  divi 
sions,  one  going  south  toward  Brinkley,  and  the  other 
west  toward  Des  Arc.  Without  halting,  Companies  B, 
C  and  G,  under  Captain  Moore,  were  deployed  in 
skirmish  line  and  pursued  him  some  distance  on  the 
Des  Arc  road.  We  passed  several  deserted  houses,  all  of 
which  bore  proof  of  having  been  used  as  temporary 
hospitals  for  the  wounded.  The  first  one  was  about  a 
mile  from  the  battlefield.  Its  blood-stained  walls,  and 
the  pools  of  blood  still  standing  on  its  floors  and  around 
the  well  outside,  told  the  story  of  a  fearful  carnage 
better  than  words  could  tell  it.  A  heavy  growth  of 
timber  and  underbrush  extended  along  each  side  of  the 
narrow  road,  making  the  atmosphere  decidedly  heavy 
and  oppressive.  This,  however,  was  broken  by  an  oc 
casional  opening,  which  afforded  us  some  relief.  At 
one  of  these  places  we  met  a  battalion  of  mounted  reb 
els  who  were  cautiously  advancing  from  the  opposite 
direction.  On  seeing  us  they  fled  in  great  disorder, 
many  of  them  throwing  down  their  arms,  which  we 
picked  up  and  bent  around  trees  or  over  logs,  as  was 
most  convenient.  Again  we  plunged  into  the  forest, 
and  a  few  miles  further  on  surprised  another  body  of 
rebels.  In  this  last  encounter  one  of  their  number  was 
killed,  and  two  or  three  more  fell  into  our  hands  as 
prisoners.  It  was  then  late  in  the  evening,  and  we  re 
turned  to  Cotton  Plant.  That  engagement  put  the 
Johnnies  out  of  commission  for  a  time,  at  least,  and 
they  ceased  to  harass  our  flanks  and  rear  as  they  had 
been  doing. 

About  this  time  the  Quartermaster  was  issuing  whole 
coffee,  which  was  practically  useless  until  Private 
John  Downey  discovered  a  way  to  grind  it.  Coming 
into  camp  one  evening  with  a  couple  of  iron  wedges,  he 
tied  his  coffee  up  in  a  rag,  then  laid  it  on  one  of  the 
wedges  and  beat  it  with  the  other.  The  process  was 
simple,  but  effective,  and  the  wedges  went  into  general 
use.  John  carried  them  through  to  Helena,  and  for  his 
kindness  was  called  "Company  Coffee  Mill".  .John 
was  a  good  soldier,  and  no  one  would  perform  a  duty 
or  do  an  act  of  kindness  quicker  than  he.  But  that 
campaign  broke  the  poor  fellow's  health,  and  he  was 
discharged  for  disability  in  November  following. 

Leaving  Cotton  Plant  July  8th,  we  made  the  remain 
ing  distance  to  Clarendon,  and  thence  to  Helena,  by 
rapid  marches.  The  dust  and  heat,  together  with  a 
scant  supply  of  food  and  water,  tested  our  endurance 
to  the  utmost  limit.  We  arrived  at  Helena  on  the  af 
ternoon  of  July  13th  and  stacked  arms  with  less  than  a 
dozen  men  in  ranks,  the  others  having  fallen  out  by 
the  wayside  to  rest  and  cool  their  blistered  feet,  or  to 
search  (perhaps  in  vain)  for  water.  Among  our  sick 
brought  in  by  the  ambulance  corps  was  Robert  Martin, 
a  brave,  kind-hearted  boy,  who,  though  pale  and  ema 
ciated  from  weeks  of  suffering  with  disease,  was  still 
cheerful  and  uncomplaining.  He  was  discharged,  but 
died  on  his  way  home.  The  oldest  man  in  the  com- 


150 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


pany,  William  Peasley,  died  while  we  were  at  Claren 
don.  The  insufficient  food  and  polluted  drinking  water 
that  the  men  were  compelled  to  use  on  this  campaign 
killed  many  of  the  weaker  men,  and  destroyed  the  use 
fulness  of  a  still  larger  number.  At  or  near  Pocahontas 
Corporal  Russell  Puntenney  succeeded  Sergt.  Jeremiah 
E.  Waldon,  who  was  reduced  to  ranks  for  some  trivial 
breach  of  military  discipline,  but  was  subsequently 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Corporal.  These  changes  did 
not  affect  him  in  the  least,  and  he  remained  through 
out  the  war  the  same  "Jerry",  light-hearted  and  jolly, 
caring  more  for  others  than  for  himself.  Always  ready 
for  duty,  he  was  brave  and  generous  to  a  fault,  and  no 
man  had  a  deeper  hold  on  the  affections  of  the  com 
pany  than  did  "Jerry"  Waldon. 

About  July  2oth  we  moved  down  the  river  twenty-five 
miles  to  Old  Town  Landing,  and  engaged  during  the 
remainder  of  the  summer  and  early  fall  in  no  less  than 
eight  steamboat  expeditions  down  the  river  and  return, 
with  more  or  less  skirmishing  each  time.  Our  death 
losses  from  disease  were  Corporal  John  S.  Meeley,  whose 
quiet,  orderly  demeanor  as  a  soldier  had  left  its  impress 
for  good  ;  and  Thomas  Eldridge,  whose  kind,  fatherly 
advice  to  the  boys  had  won  for  him  the  affectionate 
title  of  "Uncle  Tom".  Sergt.  Henry  M.  C.  Storey  and 
Corporal  Jackson  G.  Sprague,  both  past  middle  age, 
were  disc  barged  for  disability.  Sergt.  Storey  stood  fully 
six  feet  high.  He  was  an  efficient  officer  and  a  man  of 
positive  character,  whose  conduct  as  a  soldier  was 
above  reproach.  Corporal  Sprague  stood  six  feet  two 
inches  high,  and  straight  as  a  ramrod.  He  was  a 
faithful,  conscientious  officer,  and  the  boys  will  never 
forget  his  martial  bearing  and  commands— "  Left ! 
Right !  Left!"  when  drilling  the  awkward  squad.  1st 
Lieut.  George  P.  Ela  resigned  September  oth  and  left 
the  service,  ostensibly  on  account  of  failing  health, 
though  at  the  same  time  it  was  known  that  his  rela 
tions  with  the  Captain  were  not  the  most  agreeable, 
and  that  reason  may  have  influenced  his  action.  He 
was  a  capable  officer  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and 
good  will  of  the  company.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sergt. 
John  T.  ilussell,  and  Corporal  Christopher  Bowman  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Sergt.  Other  promotions  oc 
curring  about  that  time  were  Corporal  Nathan  L.  Spen 
cer  to  Duty  Sergeant;  Privates  Charles  I).  Crumbaugh, 
Charles  W.  Horn,  Joseph  Kendrick,  Joseph  T.  Karr 
and  Samuel  C.  Taylor  to  the  rank  of  Corporal,  and 
Jehu  Little  to  Hospital  Steward,  U.  S.  A. 

About  the  20th  of  September  we  moved  up  the  river 
eight  miles  to  Craig's  Landing,  and  crossed  over  with 
an  expedition  into  Mississippi.  After  some  sharp  skirm 
ishing  we  returned  to  Craig's  Landing. 

We  took  boat  up  the  river  October  1st,  landed  at  Sul 
phur  Springs,  Missouri,  and  made  a  winter  campaign 
through  the  southeastern  part  of  that  state.  There  was 
much  severe  weather,  and  the  boys  suffered  not  a  little 
for  want  of  suitable  footwear.  Returning  to  the  river 
early  in  March,  1808,  we  embarked  from  St.  Genevieve 
to  Milliken's  Bend,  La.  In  the  meantime,  Sergt. 


Charles  N.  Horn,  Corporal  Charles  1).  Crumbaugh  and 
Corporal  Nathan  L.  Kinsey— all  worthy  officers— had 
ended  honorable  careers  and  joined  the  silent  majority. 
Privates  Jacob  Pressman  and  Philip  Whittaker  had  also 
rendered  their  last  willing  service,  and  bivouacked 
with  the  dead.  2nd  Lieut.  William  Elbert  resigned 
March  10th  on  account  of  age  and  failing  health.  Hav 
ing  served  in  the  Mexican  War,  the  Lieutenant  was  a 
man  of  military  experience  of  value  to  himself  and 
others.  He  was  a  reliable  officer  and  a  kind-hearted, 
sympathetic  man,  who  did  a  great  deal  to  promote  the 
comfort  and  discipline  of  the  company.  He  was  suc 
ceeded  by  1st  Sergt.  Lysander  C.  Howard.  Sergt.  Chris 
topher  Bowman  was  promoted  to  1st  Sergeant  and  Pri 
vates  James  A.  P.  Storey,  John  Carlisle  and  Samuel  C. 
Myers  to  the  rank  of  Corporal.  Privates  Henry  A. 
Scrimger,  John  W.  Spencer,  Taylor  C.  McClellan.  Wil 
liam  T.  Givler,  Thomas  W.  Wilson,  Melmon  M.  White, 
Salathial  M.  Kenton,  Albert  Bateman,  George  R. 
Brown,  Peter  Bishop,  William  Kerr,  Daniel  Phillips 
and  George  Mclntyre— all  good  soldiers  but  badly 
broken  in  health,  had  been  discharged  for  disability. 
Of  these  Mclntyre  was  brave  as  a  lion  and  kind-hearted 
as  a  mother.  He  was  a  special  favorite  in  the  company. 

From  the  landing  at  Milliken's  Bend  up  to  the  22nd 
of  May,  Company  G  participated  with  the  regiment  in 
all  engagements.  At  Black  River  Bridge  an  incident 
happened  that  may  be  worth  relating.  James  Williams, 
in  the  rush  for  results,  entered  the  opposing  works 
through  a  gun  embrasure  just  as  a  "Johnny"  was  about 
to  discharge  the  gun.  The  "Johnnies"  started  for  the 
rear.  Jim  jumped  upon  the  gun,  waving  his  hat,  and 
called  out  to  them:  "Say,  you  uns,  comeback  here; 
you  uns  have  left  something.  I  can't  bring  this  shoot- 
in'  wagon  to  ye,  it's  too  weighty."  (Jim  never  wanted 
anything  he  could  not  get  in  his  haversack.  He  was  a 
splendid  fellow  and  brave  at  all  times. )  The  "Johnnies" 
not  coming  back  at  his  call  and  the  gun  being  loaded, 
Jim  helped  reverse  it,  and  as  he  pulled  the  lanyard  he 
shouted,  "If  you  uns  won't  come  back,  you  can  take 
this  piece  along  with  you  for  a  snack." 

G  Company  joined  in  the  assault  on  the  22nd.  Many 
of  the  boys  got  close  up  to  the  rebel  works,  but  unable 
to  advance  further  in  the  face  of  a  withering  fire,  took 
shelter  wherever  they  could  find  it,  and  withdrew  un 
der  cover  of  night.  In  this  engagement  Spencer  R. 
Wells  was  wounded  with  a  grape  shot,  resulting  in  the 
loss  of  his  arm.  Francis  Thompson  and  David  Rude, 
both  brave,  noble-hearted  men,  were  killed.  They  fell 
with  their  faces  toward  the  enemy,  and  were  deeply 
mourned.  After  this  repulse  was  begun  the  siege 
which  ended  with  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  July  4th, 
Oliver  W.  Biddle  was  wounded  by  a  gunshot  May  28th. 
On  the  15th  of  June  Robert  Barkley  was  wounded  by  a 
piece  of  shell  while  engaged  in  frying  a  pan  of  stale 
eggs  for  which  he  had  paid  the  sutler  at  the  rate  of 
one  dollar  a  do/en.  A  piece  of  the  shell  knocked  the 
bottom  out  of  the  pan  and  scattered  fire  and  eggs  in 
every  direction.  The  loss  of  the  pan  was  often  regret- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN   VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


151 


ted.  On  the  day  of  the  surrender  G  Company  fed  a 
number  of  the  famished  prisoners  who  came  to  us  beg 
ging  something  to  eat. 

One  day  in  June  "Commodore"  (John  L. )  Nutter 
proposed  a  "plum  duff"  for  dinner.  "They  are  good,  for 
my  mother  used  to  make  them  when  I  was  a  boy.  I 
know  how  she  did  it  and  will  make  this  one. "  Not 
one  of  the  mess  knew  what  a  "plum  duff'"  was  like, 
but  all  consented  to  have  it.  The  necessary  articles 
were  procured  from  the  sutler  and  mixed  by  the  "Com 
modore",  who  tied  the  mass  up  in  a  shirt  sleeve  and 
dropped  it  in  the  camp  kettle  to  cook.  Some  sugges 
tions  as  to  the  kind  of  sauce  to  serve  it  with  resulted 
in  a  mixture  of  flour  and  water  with  a  little  sugar, 
vinegar  and  salt,  which  was  prepared  in  a  stew  pan 
and  set  to  one  side  ;  the  "plum  duff"  was  turned  out  into 
another  pan  and  set  beside  a  pot  of  hot  coffee.  The 
boys  seated  themselves  on  the  ground  in  a  circle  and 
the  "Commodore"  was  ready  to  serve  them,  when  Arch 
Thompson— a  large,  awkward  fellow  with  big  feet,  but 
a  brave  and  tender-hearted  soldier— got  up  for  some 
thing  and  accidentally  tipped  the  pan  of  sauce  over. 
Poor  Arch  looked  in  dismay  at  the  empty  pan,  while  a 
volley  of  half  angry  words  were  fired  at  him.  Arch 
merely  said,  "Dad  rot  it,  boys,  I'm  sorry;  I  didn't  go 
to  do  it."  A  roar  of  laughter  followed  this  apology, 
and  the  "plum  duff'"  was  eaten  good-humoredly  with 
out  sauce. 

After  all  our  privations  and  labor  we  were  not  per 
mitted  to  enter  the  coveted  precincts  of  Vicksburg. 
There  was  other  work  pressing  upon  us.  Johnson, 
with  a  large  army  holding  the  country  from  Black 
river  to  Jackson,  must  be  driven  out  or  captured.  At  5 
a.  m.  on  July  5th  the  13th  Corps  moved  toward  Jack 
son.  There  was  sharp  skirmishing  from  the  10th  to  the 
13th,  and  then  our  lines  were  drawn  well  up  to  and 
around  the  rebel  works,  our  right  resting  on  Pearl  Riv 
er  below,  and  our  left  on  the  same  river  above  Jackson. 
In  gaining  this  formation  a  gap  of  nearly  half  a  mile 
had  been  left  open  between  our  own  and  Steele's  divi 
sion,  and  G  Company  was  detached  from  the  main  line 
to  guard  it.  A  little  distance  to  the  right  of  the  com 
pany  line  was  a  long  row  of  slave  cabins;  also  a  row  of 
big  cisterns,  which  were  our  dependence  for  water. 
Before  giving  these  cisterns  up  the  rebels  had  poured 
tar  into  them,  making  the  water  black  and  bitter,  but 
we  had  to  use  it  for  drinking,  as  well  as  for  making 
coffee  and  boiling  ear  corn  foraged  from  near-by  plan 
tations.  On  the  14th  we  fortified  our  position  under 
fire  from  the  rebel  batteries.  Our  tools  consisted  of  one 
pick  and  one  shovel,  which  were  not  left  idle  for  a 
moment  until  we  were  safely  entrenched.  On  the  loth 
Corporal  Joseph  Kendrick  was  struck  on  the  hand  with 
a  spent  ball.  Lieut.  Russell,  with  a  heavy  detail  from 
the  company,  was  on  the  front  picket  line  on  the  night 
of  the  Kith.  At  daybreak  next  morning  he  deployed 
his  men  as  skirmishers  and  advanced  to  the  rebel 
works  without  opposition,  Johnson's  whole  army  hav 
ing  retreated  across  Pearl  river_during  the  night. 


The  next  few  days  we  feasted  on  green  corn  and  em 
ployed  our  time  in  destroying  the  railroad  as  far  south 
as  Byram.  Speaking  of  green  corn,  it  is  proper  to  say 
that  Privates  Jim  Shook,  Jack  Brown,  "Hen"  White- 
man,  Jack  Stevens,  Will  Burrell,  "Fling"  Highland  and 
"Shrackety"  Sowards,  besides  being  galla'nt  soldiers, 
were  versed  in  gastronomy,  and  could  eat  more  roasting 
ears  at  one  sitting  than  the  same  number  of  army  mules. 
They  were  not  in  the  least  afra:d  of  colic  or  indigestion. 
Why  should  they  be?  Men  who  could  unflinchingly 
face  death  on  the  battlefield,  as  they  had  often  done, 
were  not  the  lads  to  show  the  white  feather  to  the  lesser 
danger  of  eating  a  few  innocent  ears  of  green  corn. 

On  our  return  to  Vicksburg  William  Edwards  was 
sent  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  died  Aug.  19th,  and  John 
Wade  was  transferred  to  the  U.  S.  I.  C.  Sept.  1st. 
Both  had  honorable  records. 

Near  Opelousas,  on  the  Teche  campaign,  the  last 
day's  march  was  a  hard  one,  and  there  was  some  strag 
gling.  Among  those  who  dropped  out  were  "Jeff'" 
Davis,  "Fling"  Highland,  Jack  Stevens  and  Andrew 
Grow.  After  a  brief  rest  they  did  a  little  foraging 
and  prepared  a  meal  of  fried  chicken,  boiled  sweet  po 
tatoes  and  honey.  Just  as  the  spread  was  ready  a  troop 
of  rebel  cavalry  dashed  up  and  made  them  prisoners. 
The  troopers  ate  the  dinner,  then  stripped  the  boys  of 
everything  except  shirts  and  pantaloons,  and  hurried 
them  away  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  hoping  to  get 
them  safely  past  our  right  flank  before  daylight  next 
morning.  During  the  night  the  rebels  lost  their  course 
and  wandered  around  through  the  dense  woods  until  10 
o'clock  the  second  night,  when  a  detachment  from  the 
2nd  Illinois  cavalry  discovered  their  camp  fires  and 
picked  them  up  with  their  prisoners,  within  four  miles 
of  our  camp.  The  boys  were  almost  famished,  their 
feet  were  bruised  and  bleeding  and  their  bodies  chilled, 
but  for  the  moment  they  forgot  their  sad  plight  in  the 
joy  of  their  release. 

The  night  before  the  day  on  which  we  passed  St. 
Martinsville,  Louisiana,  the  33rd  had  the  advance  and 
camped  after  dark  in  an  old  cotton  field.  Halt  a  mile 
north  was  a  heavy  body  of  timber  at  least  five  miles 
across,  and  extending  around  on  the  west  side,  but  not 
a  rail  or  a  stick  of  wood  was  to  be  found  near  our 
camping  place.  That,  of  course,  meant  no  coffee,  and 
a  menu  of  hardtack  only.  Our  supply  train  had  failed 
to  come  up  with  the  tents,  but  as  the  weather  was  fine 
we  passed  the  night  very  comfortably  without  them. 
Next  morning  we  scratched  up  a  little  fuel  and  had 
coffee  and  hardtack  for  breakfast.  No  orders  had  been 
given  to  move,  and  toward  eight  o'clock  a  report  was 
in  circulation  that  we  would  pitch  our  tents  and  re 
main  there  a  few  days.  On  the  strength  of  this  rumor, 
Kelly,  Van  Gordon,  Nickelson,  Burrell,  Russell,  Ma- 
han,  Barkley  and  myself  got  permission  from  Capt. 
Moore  to  go  out  and  forage  something  for  the  company 
to  eat.  Leaving  our  knapsacks  and  blankets,  we  started 
northwest,  and  by  a  circuitous  route  avoided  the  pickets 
and  came  out  into  the  St.  Martinsville  road  in  the 


152 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


woods,  about  three  miles  north  of  camp.  Beyond  this 
timber  was  a  prairie  country  of  considerable  extent, 
and  just  at  the  edge  of  both  there  was  a  slight  bend  in 
the  road.  There  we  suddenly  met  a  party  of  mounted 
rebels  who  had  evidently  been  sent  back  to  observe  the 
movements  of  the  Union  army.  The  recognition  was 
mutual,  and  in  the  face  of  such  a  force  we  knew  it 
would  be  fatal  to  run,  so  we  dodged  into  the  brush  at 
the  side  of  the  road  and  opened  fire  on  the  "Johnnies". 
The  rebels,  believing  us  to  be  the  advance  guard  of  a 
strong  column,  wheeled  their  horses  and  fled  in 
disorder. 

After  the  "Johnnies"  had  conceded  our  right  of  way, 
we  looked  up  the  road  and  saw  that  they  had  been 
joined  in  their  retreat  by  another  party.  We  watched 
them  until  all  were  out  of  sight,  and  then  scrutinized 
our  immediate  surroundings.  A  short  distance  ahead 
and  on  our  right  was  a  cluster  of  log  cabins  occupied  by 
slaves.  On  the  left  was  the  master's  house— a  typical 
southern  mansion  with  broad  verandas,  and  a  big  front 
lawn  shaded  here  and  there  by  tall  pecan  trees  full  of 
ripening  nuts.  After  gathering  a  quantity  of  nuts  and 
filling  up  with  warm  cornbread  and  fresh  sweet  milk 
prepared  by  the  house  servants,  who  were  the  only  oc 
cupants,  we  returned  to  the  slave  quarters  for  chickens 
and  soon  had  all  we  could  carry.  Just  as  we  were 
ready  to  start  for  camp  I  saw  the  head  of  our  brigade 
coming  out  of  the  woods.  Hastily  gathering  up  our 
chickens  we  started  back  and  met  Company  G.  Capt. 
Moore  told  us  that  marching  orders  were  received  soon 
after  our  squad  left  camp,  and  our  baggage  had  been 
left  behind.  Not  knowing  what  to  do,  he  laid  the  facts 
before  Col.  Lippincott,  who  decided  that  one  of  us 
should  remain  therewith  the  guns  and  forage,  while  the 
others  went  back  and  brought  up  the  baggage.  That 
meant  at  least  ten  miles  travel,  and  as  I  was  the  least 
able  to  stand  the  trip,  the  boys  stacked  arms  and  left 
me  on  guard.  They  were  gone  several  hours  and  we  did 
not  get  started  after  the  regiment  until  about  five 
b  clock.  We  reached  the  outskirts  of  St.  Martinsville  at 
dusk.  At  this  point  Van  Gordon  and  Mahan  gave  out. 
Just  across  the  road  was  a  small  pasture  in  which  were 
t\vo  or  three  horses,  and  with  some  difficulty  we  caught 
one  of  them.  Kelley  soon  made  a  bridle  out  of  gun 
straps  and  the  horse  was  led  out  into  the  road.  Our 
baggage  was  bound  together  like  saddlebags  and  placed 
on  his  back,  then  the  two  exhausted  boys  mounted, 
and  we  marched  through  the  principal  street  of  the 
town,  followed  by  at  least  a  dozen  angry  men,  who 
would  have  been  glad  to  take  him  from  us,  but  lacked 
the  courage  to  try  it.  We  reached  camp  about  eleven 
o'clock,  too  tired  to  dress  and  cook  our  chickens,  but 
made  some  coffee,  which  we  drank,  and  went  to  sleep 
in  the  open  air,  as  we  had  done  the  night  before. 
Next  morning  the  camp  was  astir  early,  and  before  six 
o'clock  the  column  was  in  motion.  One  of  the  boys 
was  astride  of  our  horse,  with  the  baggage  of  three  or 
four  others,  but  had  ridden  less  than  a  mile  when  he 
was  dismounted  by  order  of  the  Colonel.  The  horse 


was  turned  over  to  the  Quartermaster,  and   from   that 
time  on  he  was  ridden  by  a  headquarters  colored   man. 

The  Teche  campaign  involved  many  days  of  hard 
marching,  but  was  otherwise  uneventful  and  barren  of 
results.  We  returned  by  rapid  marches  to  Brashear, 
and  thence  by  rail  to  the  Mississippi  river  at  Algiers. 

About  the  first  of  November,  with  one  brigade  pre 
ceding  us  and  another  following,  we  embarked  with 
the  regiment  from  Algiers  down  the  river  and  across  the 
gulf  under  orders  for  Brownsville,  Texas.  Our  good  ship, 
the  Clinton,  encountered  rough  weather,  which  stirred  us 
up,  and  not  a  few  "sentence  prayers"  were  uttered  by  the 
boys  with  their  heads  bowed  over  the  ship's  rail.  On 
the  morning  of  the  fourth  day's  voyage  the  Clinton  ar 
rived  opposite  the  Rio  Grande,  and  after  two  attempts 
to  run  through  the  narrow  pass  into  the  river,  she  put 
to  sea  for  safety.  During  the  night  she  was  overhauled 
by  a  dispatch  boat  and  ordered  up  the  coast.  We  de 
barked  next  morning  not  far  from  Aransas  Pass,  and 
marched  up  the  coast  to  Fort  Esperanza.  a  strongly 
fortified  rebel  position  and  important  base  of  supplies 
on  the  west  shore  of  Matagorda  Bay. 

We  approached  in  easy  range  of  that  position  about 
the  23rd  of  November,  and  were  given  a  warm  recep 
tion.  Capt.  Moore  went  forward  with  the  firing  line, 
leaving  Lieut.  Russell  in  command  of  G  Company, 
which,  with  the  other  companies  not  already  engaged, 
followed  in  supporting  distance.  While  the  skirmish 
ers  were  engaged  a  call  was  made  for  ten  volunteers 
from  G  Company,  to  report  to  Capt.  Moore  for  special 
duty.  The  men  who  responded  were  William  C.  Ar 
nold,  George  H.  V.  Kelley,  George  W.  Russell,  James 
W.  Van  Gordon,  Charles  W.  Moore,  Michael  Whiteman, 
Andrew  Nickelson,  William  Q,.  Mahan,  Andrew  Grow 
and  Henry  C.  Hays.  Without  reference  to  himself,  ex 
cept  to  say  that  he  was  given  command  of  the  squad, 
the  writer  wishes  to  emphasize  the  fact  that  the  nine 
names  following  his  own  are  those  of  cool,  level-headed, 
fearless  men,  who  were  as  kind-hearted,  sympathetic 
and  true  as  they  were  brave.  We  reported  at  the  front 
as  ordered  and  were  instructed  to  get  possession  of  a 
certain  line  of  sand  drifts  and  make  a  reconnoissance 
of  the  works  on  our  front.  We  chose  the  only  possible 
way  to  execute  the  order,  by  going  directly  to  the  bay 
shore,  thence  under  cover  of  its  abrupt  banks  to  their 
place  of  contact  with  the  coveted  sand  drifts,  and  thus 
gained  an  advantageous  position  within  one  hundred 
and  fifty  yards  of  the  rebel  rifle  pits  In  the  meantime 
the  support  promised  us  had  failed  to  materialize,  leav 
ing  us  alone  to  face  the  possibility  of  being  killed  or 
made  prisoners  at  any  moment.  However  our  little 
squad  opened  fire,  and  was  answered  by  a  shower  of 
whizzing  bullets,  while  the  writer  crept  along  the 
drifts,  surveying  the  situation.  The  firing  continued 
until  Kelley  was  severely  wounded.  Then  we  with 
drew  by  the  shore  route  and  had  retreated  about  four 
hundred  yards  when  the  rebels  were  seen  at  the  drifts, 
but  they  made  no  attempt  to  follow  us. 

On    the  nightfof  the  28th  Moore  and   the  writer  were 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


153 


again  on  special  duty,  and  guided  three  companies  of 
the  18th  Indiana  to  the  sand  drifts,  where  rifle  trenches 
were  dug  and  occupied  before  daylight.  Next  day  the 
rebels  abandoned  their  outer  works  and  fell  back  on  the 
main  fort,  followed  from  our  own  trenches  by  our  men, 
until  checked  by  their  sharpshooters,  who  were  posted 
among  the  intervening  sand  hills. 

Joe  Kendrick,  in  speaking  about  this  call  for  volun 
teers  above  referred  to,  says:  "As  we  lay  there  in  line 
I  imagined  the  enemy  gone,  and  I  turned  my  thoughts 
to  the  subject  of  dinner.  I  asked  myself  this  question  : 
'If  roast  beef  or  veal  was  being  served,  which  would  1 
prefer?'  I  was  about  to  decide  in  favor  of  veal,  when 
a  shot  from  one  of  the  big  guns  at  the  fort  plowed  up 
the  earth  in  our  front,  covering  us  with  a  shower  of 
dirt.  At  the  same  moment  a  shell  burst  over  our  heads, 
and  each  piece  as  it  hummed  through  the  air  seemed  to 
say,  'I  want  a  Yank.  I  want  a  Yank.'  Then  the  call 
came  for  volunteers  to  reconnoiter.  It  is  safe  to  say 
that  by  this  time  all  thoughts  of  dinner  had  passed 
from  my  mind.  It  was  hot  enough  here;  why  invite 
new  dangers  by  volunteering?  Therefore  I  assumed  a 
far-away  look  and  kept  my  place  in  the  ranks.  How 
ever  the  call  was  soon  filled,  and  some  of  the  boys  got 
leaded." 

On  the  following  night  (the  29th)  Capt.  Moore  was 
officer  of  the  day,  and  the  detail  for  picket  duty  from 
G  Company  was  composed  of  the  following  officers  and 
men  :  Sergeant  of  the  Guard,  Russell  Puntenney  ;  Cor 
porals,  M.  M.  Brook,  Joseph  Kendrick,  John  Carlisle; 
Privates,  Isaac  Swearingen,  Wash.  W.  Sowards,  James  C. 
Shook,  Andrew  C.  Martin,  Robert  Barkley,  Arnold  Claf- 
lin,  Will  H.  Summers,  James  Williams,  Robt.  Fell,  War 
ren  Shannon,  George  W.  Russell,  J.  E.  Waldon  and  Wm. 
C.  Arnold.  These  were  supported  by  the  remainder  of  the 
company  in  command  of  Lieut.  Russell.  We  occupied 
the  ground  gained  during  the  day,  and  those  not  actu 
ally  on  duty  burrowed  in  the  sand  to  escape  the  pier 
cing  blasts  of  a  Norther,  which  had  been  blowing  for 
several  days.  About  midnight  the  pickets  saw  a  bright 
light  flashing  from  the  fort,  and  Sergt.  Puntenney  re 
ported  the  fact  to  our  Brigade  Commander,  Col.  Wa^h- 
burn.  Presently  there  was  a  terriffic  explosion,  shak 
ing  the  earth  and  filling  the  air  with  the  blazing  debris 
of  a  powder  magazine  Without  a  moment's  hesitation 
the  guards  and  reserves  advanced  in  skirmish  line,  and 
soon  were  inside  of  the  fort.  The  garrison  had  escaped 
across  a  narrow  bay  to  the  mainland.  Before  evacuat 
ing  the  rebels  had  set  fire  to  everything  that  would 
burn.  They  had  been  especially  careful  to  fire  the  mag 
azines,  of  which  there  were  seven,  containing  large 
quantities  of  fixed  ammunition  and  several  tons  of  bulk 
powder.  Having  explored  the  fort  we  hurried  out  just 
in  time  to  escape  the  second  explosion.  While  watch 
ing  its  effect  a  wooden  block  struck  Swearingen  on  the 
mouth,  cutting  his  lips  and  knocking  out  two  front 
teeth.  By  this  time  the  whole  brigade  had  arrived. 
Explosions  occurring  at  irregular  intervals  made  it  un 
safe  to  approach  near  the  fort.  A  couple  of  days  later 


we  returned  to  our  former  camp,  where  the   following 
order  was  published  on  dress  parade: 

"Headquarters  33rd  Regt.   111.  Vol.  Inft. 
Saluria,  Texas,  Dec.  5th,  18(13 

Special  Order  No.  37. 

"The  Colonel  commanding  takes  this  method  of  an 
nouncing  that  he  has  learned  with  pleasure  and  pride 
of  the  gallantry  and  good  conduct  of  Privates  C.  W. 
Moore  and  W.  C.  Arnold,  of  Company  G.  He  regrets 
that  their  names  were  not  reported  early  enough  to  per 
mit  of  a  suitable  notice  in  his  official  report.  In  a  regi 
ment  where  all  behaved  so  well  as  the  veteran  soldiers 
of  the  33rd  did  during  the  operations  preceding  the  cap 
ture  of  Fort  Esperan/rt,  it  is  especially  honorable  to 
have  so  behaved  as  to  deserve  particular  mention.  The 
Colonel  takes  this  opportunity  to  return  his  thanks  to 
Charles  Moore  and  William  C.  Arnold  for  their  good 
conduct  and  bravery. 

C.  E.  LIPPINCOTT,  Colonel." 

During  the  month  of  December  the  company  lost  four 
good  soldiers— Corporal  Samuel  C.  Taylor  and  Private 
George  W.  Kent  by  discharge  for  disability,  Private 
William  L.  Day  by  transfer  to  the  U.  S.  I.  C.,  and 
Private  William  Shook  by  death  from  disease.  These 
men  were  always  prompt  and  reliable  in  the  discharge 
of  duty. 

About  the  loth  we  moved  up  the  bay  twenty-five 
miles  to  Indianola,  and  after  one  expedition  to  Port 
Lavacca  had  little  to  do  except  to  drill  twice  a  day  and 
eat  Texas  beef,  fresh  from  the  range.  We  were  now  far 
away  froin  the  main  theater  of  war,  and  resting  easily 
on  laurels  fairly  won  during  our  twenty-eight  months 
of  active  duty.  We  still  had  eight  months  more  to 
serve,  but  it  was  evident  to  all  that  the  war  would  con 
tinue  beyond  the  limit  of  our  own  term.  Further  than 
this  the  rank  and  file  had  given  this  question  very  lit 
tle  thought.  However,  the  Government  at  Washington 
had  viewed  with  alarm  the  possibility  of  having  to 
muster  out  so  many  of  the  old  organizations  before  the 
close  of  the  war.  To  avoid  this  the  War  Department 
issued  an  appeal  to  them  to  re-enlist  and  remain  in  the 
service.  The  inducements  offered  were  thirty  days' 
furlough  and  the  distinguishing  title  of  veteran.  This 
proposition  reached  us  about  the  first  of  .January,  1S(>4. 
The  regiment  accepted  it  promptly  and  was  soon  en- 
route  to  Illinois.  The  few  declining  to  re-enlist  were 
called  non-veterans  and  transferred  to  the  99th  Illinois, 
with  which  they  served  while  awaiting1  the  return  of 
their  own  companies.  Corporal  James  Limber,  a  non- 
veteran,  was  discharged  for  disability  in  February. 
W.  C.  Arnold,  also  a  non-veteran,  escaped  transfer  by 
being  in  Illinois  on  recruiting  service.  He  remained 
with  the  regiment  until  his  discharge. 

April  18th,  1804,  the  regiment  reassembled  at  Camp 
Butler,  with  the  following  recruits  for  G  Company: 
Samuel  H.  Bender,  Thomas  Case,  John  C.  Fell,  George 
Gillmore,  John  L.  Hartman,  Royalton  H.  H.  Jeffries, 


154 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


James  McKee,  Hiram  H.  Mulligan,  Dudley  N.  Storey, 
John  W.  Spencer,  Theophilus  F.  Willis,  Will  A.  High 
land  and  John  A.  Highland.  The  Highland  brothers 
both  died  during  the  summer,  and  Gillmore  was  dis 
charged  October  loth,  1865,  on  account  of  wounds  re 
ceived  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  The  others  were  mustered 
out  with  the  regiment. 

Leaving  Camp  Butler  the  company  proceeded  with 
the  regiment  via  Alton  and  St.  Louis  to  New  Orleans. 
The  resignation  of  Capt.  Moore  May  12th,  1864,  was 
deeply  regretted.  The  Captain  was  a  brave  and  honor 
able  officer.  He  took  great  pride  in  promoting  the  wel 
fare  and  discipline  of  the  company.  He  was  a  good 
tactician,  fully  competent  to  command  the  regiment, 
and  richly  deserved  promotion.  Early  in  the  service 
he  was  unpopular  with  the  company,  but  in  time  the 
men  learned  to  love  and  trust  him.  His  successor, 
Lieut.  Russell,  was  a  popular  officer;  whether  as  Ser 
geant,  Lieutenant,  or  Captain,  he  was  a  "boy"  among 
the  "boys",  and  always  approachable.  However,  he 
was  a  man  of  decision  and  firmness,  and  (lid  not  hesi 
tate  to  enforce  discipline  or  to  exact  strict  obedience  to 
orders.  He  was  in  every  way  a  capable  and  worthy 
successor  to  Captain  Moore. 

May  17  we  moved  with  the  regiment  to  Brashear  City, 
La.  On  the  31st  Lieut.  Howard  resigned.  He  had  risen 
from  the  ranks  and  was  a  capable  and  efficient  officer. 
().  Lucius  Rew  of  E  Company  was  detached  and  made 
1st  Lieutenant  of  G  Company,  to  succeed  Lieutenant 
Howard.  To  take  a  non-commissioned  officer  from  one 
company  and  make  him  a  commissioned  officer  in  an 
other  company,  and  retain  the  good  feeling  that  should 
exist  between  officers  and  enlisted  men  in  that  com 
pany,  is  a  hard  thing  to  do.  Rew  was  a  level-headed, 
clear-sighted  man.  He  by  kind  and  just  treatment 
won  their  respect.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  company 
existence  he  was  on  detached  service  with  the  "Freed- 
man's  Bureau".  His  ability  was  soon  recogni/ed  and 
he  was  assigned  to  important  positions. 

About  the  20th  of  July  the  company  was  detached 
and  sent  to  Chucahoula  to  guard  the  railroad  from  that 
station.  Our  duties  were  light,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
the  countless  millions  of  mosquitoes  infesting  the  place, 
the  service  would  have  been  a  pleasant  one.  Sam  Ben 
der,  one  of  the  new  recruits,  was  a  good  fellow  and  all 
right  in  the  performance  of  duty,  but  slow  in  adapting 
himself  to  his  new  surroundings.  He  still  persisted  in 
wearing  paper  collars,  nearly  always  ate  his  meals 
alone,  and  otherwise  offended  camp  usages.  The 
"vets"  resented  Sam's  exclusiveness,  and  one  day  on 
returning  from  guard  duty  he  was  surprised  to  find  a 
live  hog  penned  up  in  his  bunk.  He  was  at  first  very 
angry,  but  soon  got  down  to  the  proper  level  and  made 
a  good  soldier. 

Oliver  W.  Biddle,  a  non-veteran,  died  August  24th. 
He  was  a  good  soldier  and  stood  high  in  the  estimation 
of  the  company.  Corp.  Spencer  R.  Wells,  a  non -veter 
an,  was  mustered  out  September  8th,  and  soon  after 
ward  entered  the  Chicago  Theological  Seminary,  where 


he  graduated  in  1867.  He  was  married  in  1869  and 
with  his  wife  went  to  India  as  a  missionary.  He  came 
home  in  1881  and  held  a  pastorate  one  year  at  Eagle 
Grove,  Ipwa,  where  he  died  in  1886.  Corp.  Wells  was 
a  true  soldier.  He  served  on  the  color  guard  and  was 
one  of  the  three  men  in  the  company  who  were  never 
known  to  play  cards,  use  tobacco,  swear  or  indulge  in 
unchaste  language.  The  other  two  were  C.  W.  ("Com 
pany  Almanac")  Moore  and  George  L.  ("Granny") 
Conkling.  Moore  was  known  as  the  "Company  Al 
manac"  because  of  his  remarkable  memory  of  dates 
and  events;  and  Conkling  was  called  "Granny"  on  ac 
count  of  his  old-fashioned  fussy  habits,  but  the  title 
never  was  applied  to  him  in  a  disrespectful  way. 

Sept.  17th,  1864,  Sergt.  Russell  Puntenney  was  pro 
moted  to  the  rank  of  1st  Sergeant,  vice  Christopher 
Bowman,  who,  with  other  non-veterans,  including 
Fifer  John  A.  Fulwiler,  Drummer  J.  P.  Davis,  and 
Privates  George  L.  Conkling,  Andrew  Grow,  C.  W. 
Moore  and  Warren  Shannon,  were  started  home  via 
New  York  with  other  non-veterans  of  the  regiment 
with  prisoners,  and  mustered  out  at  Camp  Butler  Octo 
ber  llth.  These  men  were  all  true  and  tried  soldiers 
and  their  discharge  was  a  severe  loss  to  the  company. 
Bowman  returned  to  Chicago  and  found  employment 
in  the  city  post  office.  Fulwiler  established  himself  in 
the  practice  of  law  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  Moore 
entered  the  ministry.  William  C.  Arnold,  also  a  non- 
veteran,  having  declined  a  Lieutenant's  commission  in 
the  U.  S.  C.  I.,  was  mustered  out  at  New  Orleans  on  the 
6th  of  November.  On  February  22nd,  1865,  occurred 
the  death  of  Sergt.  Nathan  L.  Spencer,  who  was  one  of 
the  most  faithful  and  worthy  non-commissioned  offi 
cers  in  the  company. 

In  the  railroad  wreck  near  Boutee  Station,  La.,  on 
March  2nd,  1865,  Robert  Barkley  was  killed.  Corp. 
George  W.  Russell,  Corp.  James  A.  P.  Storey,  and  Pri 
vates  John  L.  Nutter,  John  L.  Hartman,  S.  H.  Ben 
der  and  James  Williams  were  wounded.  This  was  the 
saddest  misfortune  that  ever  befell  the  company,  and 
strong  men  wept  while  caring  for  their  ill-fated  com 
rades. 

Company  G  took  part  with  the  regiment  in  the  Mo 
bile  campaign,  the  march  to  Montgomery,  and  from 
there  to  Meridian,  Miss.,  where  the  strength  of  the 
company  was  greatly  increased  by  the  addition  of  fifty- 
seven  men  transferred  to  it  from  the  72nd,  117th  and 
124th  Illinois  regiments.  This  addition  caused  a  num 
ber  of  promotions,  among  them  that  of  1st  Sergt.  Rus 
sell  Puntenney  to  be  2nd  Lieutenant,  to  date  from 
August  2nd,  1865.  He  had  earned  this  promotion  by 
long  and  faithful  service  as  a  non-commissioned  officer. 
If  the  wishes  of  the  company  had  been  consulted  at 
the  time  of  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of 
1st  Lieut.  Howard,  Puntenney  would  have  been  pro 
moted  at  that  time.  Matt.  M.  Brook  succeeded  Pun 
tenney  as  1st  Sergeant.  Brook  had  risen  from  the 
ranks  to  Corporal,  then  to  Sergeant.  This  last  promo 
tion  was  a  just  recognition  of  services  well  rendered  in 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


155 


each  of  these  several  positions.  Sergt.  Brook  was  of  a 
quiet,  unobtrusive  disposition.  He  attended  strictly  to 
his  own  business  and  was  a  firm  friend  when  once  you 
gained  his  confidence.  Joseph  Kendrick  was  promoted 
from  Corporal  to  Sergeant.  Joe  was  the  smallest  man 
in  the  company,  but  what  he  lacked  in  stature  was  ac 
counted  for  in  ambition  to  do  his  whole  duty.  John 
Carlisle  wras  promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant.  Car 
lisle  served  on  the  Color  Guard.  He  was  a  good  soldier 
and  a  capable  officer.  Joseph  T.  Karr  was  advanced 
from  the  ranks  to  Corporal,  and  then  to  Sergeant. 
This  promotion,  like  the  others,  was  highly  merited. 
Samuel  Myers  was  promoted  from  the  ranks  to  Corpor 
al.  He  served  on  the  Color  Guard,  which  was  a  place 
of  honor.  Like  Carlisle,  he  had  been  selected  for  that 
duty  on  account  of  merit  and  soldierly  bearing.  Geo.  W. 
Russell,  Will  H.  Summers  and  J.  E.  Waldon  were  pro 
moted  from  the  ranks  to  Corporal.  Chevrons  were  never 
worn  on  the  arms  of  more  gallant  or  deserving  soldiers. 
Russ  ("Shorty")  McNutt  was  promoted  from  the  ranks 
to  Corporal.  A  more  deserving  promotion  could  not  have 
been  made.  "Shorty"  was  full  six  feet  tall,  and  a  good 
soldier  from  the  top  of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his  feet. 
He  served  on  the  Color  Guard.  William  A.  ("Uncle 
Billy")  Timmons's  promotion  from  Corporal  to  Ser 
geant  was  approved  throughout  the  Company.  "Uncle 
Billy"  had  seen  service  in  the  Mexican  War.  He  was 
a  man  of  powerful  build  and  a  stranger  to  fear.  August 
14th  the  Company  moved  to  Vicksburg,  thence  to 
Greenville,  Miss.,  and  remained  there  until  the  muster- 
out  of  the  regiment,  November  24th,  1865. 

The  boys  had  seen  more  than  four  years  of  continu 
ous  service  in  the  field,  and  while  standing  shoulder  to 
shoulder  through  every  degree  of  hardship  and  danger, 
many  of  them  had  grown  from  smooth-faced  youths  to 
bearded  men.  The  casual  acquaintances  formed  in  1861 
had  ripened  into  the  warmest  personal  friendships. 
Their  mutual  confidence  had  been  cemented  in  the  fur 
nace  of  war,  and  made  doubly  strong  by  the  trials  and 
privations  they  had  borne  together.  The  extraordinary 
causes  that  brought  them  into  such  close  relations  had 
been  removed,  and  their  transition  from  soldiers  to 


civilians  completed.  They  were  as  new  men,  facing  a 
new  and  untried  world  of  endeavor  in  civil  pursuits. 
What  had  they  done?  What  would  they  yet  do?  These 
were  questions  that  stirred  their  manly  hearts  with  con 
flicting  emotions.  They  were  then  standing  as  indi 
vidual  citizens,  where  four  years  before  they  had  stood 
as  a  company  of  impetuous  young  soldiers  waiting  for 
marching  orders.  As  the  hour  for  final  separation  drew 
near,  their  thoughts  turned  swiftly  back  to  that  time. 
And  once  more  in  memory  they  laid  on  their  country's 
altar  everything  dear  to  them,  and  started  to  the  front. 
The  company  organization  at  Camp  Butler ;  the  first 
winter  spent  so  pleasantly  at  Arcadia;  the  long,  weari 
some  march  to  Helena ;  the  river  expeditions  from  Old 
Town,  and  the  winter  campaign  of  1862-63  in  Missouri 
passed  swiftly  before  them.  Again  they  heard  the 
crash  and  roar  of  battle  at  Ba3*ou  Pierre,  Champion's 
Hill,  Black  River,  Vicksburg  and  Jackson.  The  Teche 
campaign  (the  most  amusing  military  comedy  of  the 
war),  the  voyage  across  the  Gulf,  the  capture  of  Fort 
Esperanza,  the  summer  at  Chucahoula,  the  hoarse,  re 
verberate  thundering  of  cannon  and  musketry  around 
Mobile,  were  all  encompassed  in  one  mighty  sweep  of 
thought,  and  not  until  the  entire  circuit  was  completed 
did  those  waiting  boys  bid  each  other  farewell  and  turn 
their  footsteps  homeward,  some  to  succeed  in  the  battle 
of  life,  some  to  go  down  in  defeat,  and  still  others  to 
find  premature  graves  as  the  result  of  hardships  and 
exposures  endured  in  line  of  duty.  Most  of  them  re 
turned  home  burdened  with  wounds  or  fettered  with 
broken  health,  but  in  their  courageous  efforts  to  rise 
above  these  infirmities  the  boys  have  shown  a  heroism 
not  less  conspicuous  in  time  of  peace  than  was  their 
bravery  and  magnanimity  in  time  of  war.  And  the 
fact  that  so  many  of  them  have  attained  honorable  suc 
cess  in  business  and  in  the  professions,  while  so  few 
have  cast  any  discredit  on  their  army  records,  must 
stand  as  an  enduring  monument  to  their  unwavering 
courage  and  integrity. 

With  kind  regards  to  all,  and  hoping  no  one  will  feel 
slighted  or  wronged,  this  sketch  is  dedicated  to  the  sa 
cred  memory  of  G  Company.  W.  C.  ARNOLD. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  "G"  COMPANY  ROSTER. 


Strength  of  company  at  original  organization,  officers 
and  men,  87. 

Recruits  to  company  during  its  service,  29. 

Transferred  July,  1865,  from  72nd,  117th  and  124th 
Illinois,  57. 

Transferred  from  B  Company,  1. 

Total  enrollment  during  service,  174. 

Wounded  in  action,  13. 

Wounded  by  accident,  6. 


Killed  in  battle  or  died  from  wounds  or  accident,  5. 

Died  from  disease,  20. 

Discharged  for  disability,  43. 

Discharged  by  expiration  of  term  of  service,  16. 

Transferred  to  other  branches  of  service,  5. 

Promoted  to  Hospital  Steward,  1. 

Officers  resigned,  4. 

Deserters,  or  absent  without  leave  at  muster-out,  none. 

Enrollment  at  muster-out,  officers  and  men,  80. 


156 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ROSTER  OF  "G"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  6  September,  J86J.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  20  August,  J86J.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1 865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 

Moore,  Ira      

Bloomington.  .. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  May,  '64.  .  .  . 

Resigned  for  disability  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Russell,  John  T         

Lexington  

12  May,  '64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Ela,  George  P  .        

Bloomington.  .. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62..  . 

Resigned  for  disability  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 

Russell.  John  T  

Lexington  
Carlinville.. 

5  Sept.,  '62,  to  12  May,  '64.  .  .  . 
2  Dec.,  '64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65 

Promoted  Captain. 
Promoted  from  B  Company.    Commanded  H  Company  from  June,  '65, 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 

Elbert,  William  
Howard,  Lvsander  C  

Lexington  
Bloom  field  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 
10  Mch.,  '63,  to  31  May,  '64. 

until  detailed  as  Provost  Marshal  in  Freedman's  Bureau  at  Corinth, 
Miss.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Resigned  for  disability  at  Milliken's  Bend,  La.    Mexican  war  veteran. 
Resigned  for  disability  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Puntenney,  Russell  

Lexington  

2  Aug.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

SEKGEANT. 
Hakes   David  H 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb  '62 

Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade  at  Arcadia.  Mo. 

Russell,  John  T  
Shannon,  Warren  

Waldon,  Jeremiah  E  .. 

Lexington  
Bloomington.  .  . 

Selma. 

20  Aug.,  61,  to  5  Sept.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Nov.,  '65 

Promoted  1st  Lieutenant. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service, 
as  private. 
Discharged  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  bv  special  order   No.   100  Dept.   Miss. 

Storey,  Henry  M.  C 

Hey  worth 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Sept.,  '62 

Returned  to  ranks.     Promote'd  Corporal.     Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

CORPORAL. 

Puntenney,  Russell  
Limber,  James  
White,  Melmon  M. 

Lexington  
Hey  worth  
Towanda  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Aug.,  '65  .... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb.,  '64  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Dec.,  62 

Promoted  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.,  2nd  Lieut. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,   La. 
Discharged  for  disability  as  a  private  at  St.  Louis,   Mo. 

Sprague,  Jackson  G  
Bowman,  Christopher  

Taylor,  Samuel  C  
Spencer,  Nathan  L  ...   . 

Lexington  
Chicago  .. 

Selma  

Fairhurv.. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  9  Sept.,  '62.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Dec.,  '63  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Feb.  '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Cairo,  111. 
Promoted  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.    Served  by  transfer   in  99  Illinois.    M. 
O.  by  expiration  term  of  service  as  Sergeant. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Promoted  Sergeant.    Veteran.    Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Meeley,  John  S  

MUSICIAN. 

Fulwiler,  John  A..  
Davis,  Joseph  P  

PRIVATE. 
Arnold,  Wm.  C 

Lexington  

Lexington  
Lexington  

McLean  Co  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Sept.,  '62  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

6  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Oct.,  '64 

Died  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 

Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Apel,  Frederick  
Anderson,  William 

Chicago  
Hampton.. 

5  Oct.,  '64,  to  4  Oct.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65 

M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65. 

Bunnell,  William  
Barkley,  Robert 

Fairbury  
Selma  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Mch.,  '65.  .  .  . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  28  May,  '63.    Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 

Bryne,  John  
Bateman,  Albert. 

Bloomington.  .  . 
Metamora  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  Mch.,  '62.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Jan.,  '62.  .. 

Veteran. 
Died  at  Greenville,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Brittingham,  Isaac 

Selma  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Feb.,  '62.  . 

Died  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Brown,  George  R 

Clinton  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  1H  Feb.,  '63.. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Bishop,  Peter  
Brown,  Jackson  
Brook,  Matthew  M  
Biddle,  Oliver  W  
Bender,  Samuel  H  
Babbett,  Stephen  J  
Bolton.  Thomas  E  

Concord  
Mackinaw  
Fairbury  
Lexington  
Lexington  
St.  Augustine... 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Feb.,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Aug.,  '62,  to  24  Aug.,  '64.  .  . 
26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
1  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.  as  1st  Sergt.    Veteran. 
Wounded  28  May,  '63.    Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 
Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Broutte,  David  . 

Chicago.... 

12  April,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"G"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


157 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF    SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 
Bill,  Joseph  M 

Chicago.. 

24  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois. 
Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Died  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Served  on  Color  Guard.    Wounded  2   Mch.,   '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois'july,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C.    Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65.  • 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  124  III.  July,  '66. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability  from  wounds  received  at  Spanish  Fort,    Ala., 
31  Mch.,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Transferred  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Died  in  Bloomington,  111. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Wounded  1  Apr.,  '65,  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.    M.  O.  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La.     Veteran. 
Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 
Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Meridan,  Miss. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment  as  Musician.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  reg't  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Reeves'  Station,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La.    Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Genevieve,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Hospital  Steward  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
Served  on  Color  Guard.    Discharged  with  the   regiment  as  Corporal. 
Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  "Miss.    Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Cor 
poral.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Reeves'  Station,  Mo. 
Died  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    Wounded  20  May,  '63.    M.  O.  by  ex 
piration  term  of  service. 

Bowman,  Benjamin. 

Hampton  
Hampton  
NewMilford,  Pa. 

Vermont  

Bratton,  Thomas  
Conklin,  George  L  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Jan.,  '63.... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Nov.,  '61.  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Nov.,  '61  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Oct.,  '62.  ... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

18  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
23  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
17  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Feb.,  '65,  to  15  Sept.,  '65.  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Dec.,  '63.  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Oct.,  '62.  ... 
11  Sept.,  '61,  to  8  Jan:,  '62  .... 
15  Aug.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Crowell,  Oliver  P. 

Clatlin,  William. 

Hey  worth  

Claflin,  Arnold  
Carver,  John  

Heyworth  
Hudson  

Crumbaugh,  Charles  D... 
Carlisle,  John  

Bloomington.  .. 
Henrv  

Case,  Thomas  
Collison,  James  

Heyworth  
Bloom  

Carey,  John  
Curren,  John  

Chicago  

Crosbey,  Wilson  S 

Crenning,  Henry  F  
Day,  William  L    . 

Cartwright  
Heyworth  

Downey,  John  

Selma  

Dillon,  Arthur  H  

McLean  Co  

Downs,  Isaac  

Derrickson,  David  H  

New  Boston  
New  Boston  .  .. 
Cartwright  
Pontiac  

Derrickson,  Isaac  M  
Donley,  Peter. 

5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Aug.,  '63.  .. 
6  Oct.,  '61,  to  11  Aug.,  '62  
13  Oct.,  >64,  to  12  Oct.,  '65  .... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
24  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
30  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Dec.,  '62.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
20  Apr.,  '64,  to  15  Oct.,  '65.  ... 

11  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
28  Dec,,  '63,  to  7  Nov.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Oct.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Jan.,  '62.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Apr.,  '65.... 
17  Mch.,  '64,  to  12  June,'64.  .  .  . 
17  Mch.,  '64,  to  20  Sept.,  '64.  .  . 
26  Feb.,  '64,  to  1  July,  '65  
3  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
3  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
31  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 
20  Oct.,  '62,  to  19  Oct.,  '65  
1  July,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Edwards,  William  

Eldridge,  Thomas  

McLean  Co  
Edginton  
Bloomington.  .. 
Bloomington.  .. 

Estey,  Oliver  P.. 

Fell,  Robert. 

Fell,  John  C  

Farley,  John  H  

Fuller,  Harrison  P  

Eliza  

Givler,  William  F  
Grow,  Andrew  J 

Lexington  
Selma  

Gillmore,  George. 

Lexington 

Guehley,  John  

Grant,  Charles  

Galesburg 

Harsen,  Levi  F  

Rock  Island  
Heyworth  
Bloomfield,  O.. 
Wapella. 

Horn,  Charles  N  
Howard,  Lysander  C  

Hickman,  William  A. 

Highland,  Robert  

Concord.. 

Hays,  Henry  C  .   . 

Selma  , 

Highland,  William  A  
Highland,  John  A  

Bloomington.  .. 
Bloomington... 
Lexington  
Chicago.. 

Hartman,  John  L  
Houssouy,  Hubert. 

Imel,  Thomas  J  

St.  Augustine... 
McLean  Co  
Bloomington.  .  . 
New  Boston  
Lexington  
Chicago  
Lexington 

Jeffries,  Royalton  H.  H  
Johnson,  William  
Jackson,  John  W  

Kent,  George  W  
Kendrick,  Joseph  
Kerr,  William  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  Dec.,  '63..  .. 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Jan.,  '63.  ... 
20  Aug..  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Mch.,  '62.  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Apr.,  '65.... 

19  Aug.,  '62,  to  17  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 
14  Sept.,  '61,  to  31  Jan.,  '63  ... 
1  Oct    '61    to  9  Oct    '62 

Karr,  Joseph  T  

Heyworth  . 

Krum,  Revilo  S  

Padua.  

Kelley,  George  H.  V. 

Shabbona 

Kenton,  Salathial  M  

F-Hzabethtown, 
Ohio  

Kinsey,  Nathan  L  
Little,  Jehu.. 

McLean  Co  
Bloomington... 
Chicago  . 

Lafors,  Joseph 

12  Apr.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Aug.,  '62  to  7  Aug.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  14  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Feb.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

26  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to6jDec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Apr.,  '62  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Jan.,  '62.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

Little,  John.. 

McClellan,  Taylor  
McCracken,  William  
Myers,  Samuel 

Heyworth  
Selma  
Selma 

Marion,  James    ... 

Keithsburg  
Lexington  
Washington  

Tonawanda  
Lexington  
Bloomington.  .. 

Mahan,  William  Q  
McNutt,  Russ  

Miller,  Philip  
Martin,  Robert.   . 
Moore,  Charles  W  

158 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"G"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 
McKee,  James  W      

Lexington  

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Mclntyre,  George  W      ... 

McLean  Co  

11  Sept.,  '61,  to  21  Jan.,  '63  . 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Mulligan,  Hiram  H         

Barr's  Store  .... 

15  Feb.,  '6s,  to  11  May,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La 

Martin   AndrewC            ... 

Hey  worth 

6  Oct.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

McGrew,  DeWitt  C  
McGrew,  John  L  

Galesburg  
Galesburg  

5  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
8  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

McGrew,  Charles  M  

Galesburg  

8  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  'b5     

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

McMahan,  John  

25  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Morris,  Edward  

29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Nickelson,  Andrew  
Nutter,  John  L 

Concord  
Selma 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug  ,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Wagoner.     Veteran. 

Negley,  John  F  

Bushnell  . 

18  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Pressman.  Jacob  

Selma 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Oct.,  '62 

Died  at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Pease,  William  

Leoni,  Mich 

20  Aug  ,  '61,  to  11  Julv   '62 

Phillips,  David 

Nickelson,  Pa 

20  Aug    '61   to  20  Jan    '63 

Perry,  Silas  D  
Peterson,  Elias  H  

Bloomington.  .  . 
Hampton  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  Jan.,  '62.  ... 
4  Oct.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '65     

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,   Mo. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Russell,  George  W  

20  Aug    '61    to  6  Dec    '65 

Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.    Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  reg 

Rude,  David  
Swearingen,  Isaac  

Sowards,  Wash.  W  
Scrimger,  Henry  A  
Spencer,  John  W  

Concord  
Wapella  

Selma  
Selma  
Fairbury  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.  .  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Dec.,  '62  
20  Aug  ,  '61,  to  4  Dec     '62 

iment.    Veteran. 
Killed  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Wounded  at  Fort,  Esperanza,  Tex.    Promoted  Corporal.    M.,  O.   with 
the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Summers,  Wm.  H  

Concord  .       .   . 

20  Aug    '61   to  6  Dec     '65 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Shook,  James  C  

Stevens,  Andrew  J  
Storey,  James  A.  P  

Smith,  Abner  

Lexington  

Hudson  
Hey  worth  

Concord  .       ... 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Nov.,  '65  ... 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  May,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65...   . 

20  Aug    '61   to  20  Nov     '61 

Discharged  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  Hospital.    Supposed    he    died    there. 
Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability.   ' 
Wounded  2  Mch.,  '65.    Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  reg 
iment.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Strayer,  Isaac  P  
Shook,  William  M  
Storey,  Dudley  N  

Lexington  
Lexington  
Hey  worth  

19  Oct.,  '61,  to  25  Apr.,  '62.... 
20  Aug.,  '62,  to  11  Dec.,  '63.  ... 
23  Feb    '64  to  6  Dec     '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Spencer,  John  W  

Shrieves,  Henry  S  
Smith,  Charles  F  

Indian  Grove... 

Bushnell  
Chicago  .. 

22  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

18  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability  in  '62.    Returned  to  Company  in  '64.    Wound 
ed  2  Mch.,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Stone,  Osborn. 

Chicago  . 

25  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .  . 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Seery,  James  
Spegel,  John  

Chicago  

11  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Sheahan,  Edward  

Chicago  .. 

29  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec,,  '65  . 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.           , 

Swift,  Charles  R           

Eliza 

10  Mch.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  Julv,  '65. 

Sloan,  Gilbert 

New  Boston 

24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Shoemaker,  Harrison  
Thompson,  Archibald.  ..   . 
Thompson,  George. 

Springfield  
Selma  
Selma 

24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Nov.,  '62. 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Thompson,  Francis  

Selma  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63 

Killed  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Timmons,  William  A  
Turner,  William  
Taylor,  Els  worth  F  

Douglas  Co  
Chicago  

18  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ... 
13  Feb.,  !65,  to  24  Oct.,  '65.  ... 
29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.     Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Turner,  Charles  H. 

29  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Thrall,  Charles  

20  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Trusler,  William  T  

New  Boston  

24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,   '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Uthey,  Frederick  
Vertress,  William  J  

Chicago  

28  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  7  Nov.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Vandervest,  Caswiler  
Vogel,  Gottlieb  .          ... 

Chicago  
Wheeling  

25  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

VanGordon,  James  W  
Williams,  James. 

Tonawanda  
New  Castle.  . 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug     '61,  to  6  Dec     '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Wounded  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  2  Mch.,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  reg 

Whiteman,  Michael  
Whiteman,  Henry  F. 

Lexington  
Pontiac  

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

iment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Wilson,  Thomas  W  

Bloomington.  .. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

Whittaker,  Philip  
Wells,  Spencer  R  

Tonawanda  
Delaware,  Wis.. 

20  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Nov.,  '61.  .  . 
20  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  Sept.,  '64.  ... 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Color  Guard.    Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Discharged 

Willis,  Theophilus  F. 

Richview. 

30  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

for  disability  from  wounds. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Wade,  John  

McLean  Co  

17  Sept.,  '61,  to  1  Sept.,  '63  ... 

Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

Wood,  George  A  
Wilson,  William  

Chicago  

20  Oct.,  '64.  to  19  Oct.,  '65  
18  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Wilson  Amos  

Bushnell  

18  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Wood,  Orson  

Aledo  

24  Mch.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Wood,  Edwin  

Edwardsville. 

30  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Venue,  John  

Concord  

1  Jan.,  '62,  to  28  Nov.,  '62  

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


159 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  E.  SMITH. 
"H"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  ROBERT  P.  WILLIAMS. 
"H"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  EMMETT  B.  CHAMBERS. 
"H"  COMPANY. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  JOHNlM.  FOLLETT. 
"H"  COMPANY. 


160 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


SKETCH  OF  "H"  COMPANY. 
BY  JOHN  M.  FOLLETT. 


Company  H,  33rd  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  was 
organized  at  Camp  Butler  in  September,  1861,  with 
James  A.  McKenzie  as  Captain,  George  E.  Smith  1st 
Lieutenant,  and  Robert  P.  Williams  2nd  Lieutenant. 
It  had  no  non-commissioned  officers  at  the  time  of  its 
organization.  The  Company  left  Camp  Butler  with  the 
regiment  on  the  8th  day  of  October,  1861,  and  arrived 
at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo.,  on  the  llth,  and  went  into  camp 
in  Arcadia  Valley,  six  miles  from  Pilot  Knob. 

On  the  20th  of  November,  1861,  Company  H  held  an 
election  for  the  purpose  of  electing  Sergeants,  with  fol 
lowing  results:  1st  Sergeant,  Emmett  B.  Chambers; 
2nd  Sergeant,  John  M.  Follett;  3rd  Sergeant,  William 
B.  Morse ;  4th  Sergeant,  Thomas  Barrer ;  5th  Sergeant, 
James  F.  Jackson. 

The  Corporals  were  appointed  by  the  Captain,  and 
were  as  follows:  1st  Corporal,  John  M.  Ryland ;  2nd 
Corporal,  Augustus  J.  Tripp ;  3rd  Corporal,  Jedediah 
S.  Hyde ;  4th  Corporal,  Henry  C.  Jackson ;  5th  Cor 
poral,  David  Laird ;  6th  Corporal,  George  V.  R.  God- 
dard ;  7th  Corporal,  Nathan  Bull ;  8th  Corporal,  John 
T.  Hatch. 

The  company  was  now  fully  organized  with  a  Cap 
tain,  1st  Lieutenant,  2nd  Lieutenant,  five  Sergeants, 
eight  Corporals  and  68  privates.  A  few  recruits  joined 
the  company  later,  as  will  appear  in  the  roster,  and 
some  immediate  changes  were  made  in  the  non-com 
missioned  officers. 

Captain  James  A.  McKenzie  enlisted  September  18, 
1861 ;  resigned  March  10,  1863.  At  the  time  McKenzie 
commenced  recruiting  for  Company  H,  he  was  practic 
ing  law  in  Cambridge,  Henry  county,  Illinois.  As  a 
citizen  he  was  bright  and  energetic.  As  a  Captain  of 
H  Company  he  was  an  exacting  and  capable  drill  mas 
ter.  Probably  no  officer  in  the  33rd  Illinois,  without 
previous  training,  learned  military  drill  as  quickly  as 
did  Captain  McKenzie,  and  he  had  a  rare  faculty  of 
imparting  his  knowledge  to  his  men  in  very  few 
words.  Capt.  McKenzie  took  part  in  some  hard  and 
trying  campaigns,  but  resigned  too  soon  to  win  any 
laurels.  He  was  Provost  Marshal  at  Helena,  Ark.,  in 
the  summer  of  1864. 

George  E.  Smith  was  1st  Lieutenant  from  18th  Sep 
tember,  1861,  to  10th  March,  1863.  He  was  then  pro 
moted  to  Captain.  He  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  and 
commanded  the  company  until  its  discharge.  As  an 
officer,  Captain  Smith  was  energetic  and  brave.  He 
led  Company  H  in  several  battles  and  on  many  cam 


paigns,  with  credit  to  himself,  and  to  the  company. 
He  was  considered  one  of  the  able  and  reliable  officers 
of  the  regiment.  He  was  Provost  Marshal  at  Baton 
Rouge,  La.,  in  1864.  His  residence  at  enlistment  was 
Galesburg,  111. 

Robert  E.  Williams  was  mustered  as  2nd  Lieutenant 
September  18,  1861.  Served  in  that  grade  until  March 
10th,  1863,  when  he  was  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 
Wounded  at  battle  of  Black  River,  Miss.  ;  resigned  July 
1st,  1863,  on  account  of  wounds.  Kind  and  genial 
Lieutenant  "Bob"  Williams  was  equal  to  every  emer 
gency,  and  the  boys  of  Company  H  parted  with  him 
with  many  regrets. 

Emmett  B.  Chambers  enlisted  from  Knoxville,  111. 
Was  elected  Orderly  Sergeant  Nov.  20,  1861,  promotion 
to  take  effect  from  date  of  enlistment.  Promoted  to 
2nd  Lieutenant  March  10,  1863,  1st  Lieutenant  July  1, 
1863.  Re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  and  discharged  with  the 
company.  Chambers  was  an  ideal  Orderly  Sergeant, 
and  his  two  promotions  were  a  reward  for  genuine 
ability.  While  in  command  of  H  Company  he  was 
Provost  Marshal  at  Boutee  Station,  La.  He  was  ap 
pointed  Brigade  Inspector  May  26th,  1865,  and  Division 
Inspector  in  August,  1865.  At  present  he  is  proof 
reader  in  the  Government  Printing  Office,  Washing 
ton,  D.  C. 

John  M.  Follett  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  was  elect 
ed  2nd  Sergeant  November  20,  1861,  promotion  to  take 
effect  from  date  of  muster.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  Jan. 
1,  1864;  was  promoted  to  1st  Sergeant  Oct.  1,  1864;  2nd 
Lieut.  Sept.  21,  1865.  Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Excessive  modesty  forbids  the  enumeration  of  Sergeant 
Follett's  many  virtues.  He  did  every  duty  he  was  as 
signed  to  that  he  could  not  avoid,  and  took  part  in  all 
the  battles  and  campaigns  the  regiment  was  engaged  in 
under  mental  protest.  A  full  haversack  was  necessary 
to  his  perfect  happiness. 

William  B.  Morse  enlisted  in  E  Company  Aug.  24, 
1861,  at  Abingdon,  111.  Transferred  to  H  Company; 
elected  3rd  Sergeant  Nov.  20,  1861.  Transferred  to  pack 
train.  Mr.  Morse  was  a  Methodist  minister  when  he 
enlisted.  He  was  an  able  man  and  a  warm  patriot. 

Thomas  Barrer  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  was  elect 
ed  4th  Sergeant  November  20,  1861,  to  take  rank  from 
date  of  enlistment.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran.  Was  ap 
pointed  2nd  Sergeant  Oct.  1,  1864;  1st  Sergeant  Sept. 
21,  1865.  Discharged  with  the  company.  Sergt.  Barrer 
was  one  of  the  reliable  men  of  the  company,  always 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


161 


ready  for  duty.  As  Orderly,  he  was  impartial  and 
kind.  At  any  time  after  18(53  he  was  capable  of  taking 
charge  of  the  company  in  any  capacity. 

James  F.  Jackson  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  was 
elected  5th  Sergeant  November  20,  1861 ;  mustered  out 
with  the  non-veterans.  Sergeant  Jackson  seemed  to 
see  the  funny  side  of  soldier  life,  and  could  extract  fun 
from  a  frozen  turnip.  He  could  see  fun  in  short  ra 
tions,  hard  marches  in  snow,  rain  and  mud.  A  skirm 
ish  or  battle  was  a  never  ending  source  of  fun  for  Ser 
geant  "Jim".  He  re-enlisted  in  another  regiment,  was 
captured  and  sent  to  Tyler,  Tex.,  and  it  is  said  of  him 
that  he  even  found  thfe  funny  side  of  prison  life. 

John  M.  Ryland  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  IU.  ;  was  ap 
pointed  1st  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  1st  Sergeant  24 
March,  1863;  commissioned  2nd  Lieutenant,  but  not 
mustered.  Re-enlisted  March  24,  1864.  Reduced  from 
1st  Sergeant  to  Sergeant  Sept.  21,  1865,  and  transferred 
to  other  fields  of  usefulness.  Mustered  out  as  Sergeant. 

Augustus  J.  Tripp  enlisted  at  Victoria,  111.  ;  ap 
pointed  2nd  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861.  He  died  at  Iron- 
ton,  Mo.,  Dec.  2,  1861. 

Jedediah  S.  Hyde  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  ap 
pointed  3rd  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  died  at  Helena, 
Ark.,  Aug.  19,  1862.  Corporal  Hyde  was  a  great  favor 
ite  in  Company  H,  and  it  was  a  sad  day  for  the  boys 
when  "Jed"  died.  He  was  a  noble  man,  and  a  fine 
soldier. 

Henry  C.  Jackson  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  ap 
pointed  4th  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  mustered  out  at  ex 
piration  of  term  of  service  Oct.  11,  1864.  Henry  C. 
Jackson  was  one  of  the  "elegant  lads"  of  H  Company. 
In  good  times  and  in  trying  times  he  was  always  the 
same  pleasant  Henry  C. 

Eli  F.  Jackson  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  was  ap 
pointed  oth  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  was  a  member  of 
the  Color  Guard  for  some  time.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  ; 
discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  disability  from 
wounds  received  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  The  boys  of  H 
will  long  remember  Eli  "Fitz"  Jackson.  A  rash  sol 
dier  in  battle;  honest,  brave  and  reliable. 

George  V.  R.  Goddard  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111. 
Appointed  6th  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran  ;  discharged  with  company.  George  Goddard 
was  always  ready  for  duty,  and  always  at  the  front,  on 
the  march  or  in  battle. 

Nathan  Ball  enlisted  at  Moninouth,  111.  ;  appointed 
7th  Corporal  Nov.  20,  1861 ;  discharged  for  disability  at 
Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

John  T.  Hatch  enlisted  at  Oneida,  111.  ;  appointed  8th 
Corporal  Nov.  21,  1861  ;  transferred  to  Mississippi 
Marine  Brigade. 

Asa  A.  Anderson  enlisted  at  Roseville,  111.  ;  re-enlisted 
as  a  veteran  ;  discharged  with  the  company.  Little  "Ma 
jor"  Anderson,  the  Colonel's  Orderly,  always  neat  and 
trim  in  appearance,  the  jovial  good  natured  fellow,  has 
a  pleasant  place  in  the  memory  of  the  company. 

Amos  Amey  enlisted  at  Monniouth,  111.  ;  re  enlisted 
as  a  veteran ;  promoted  Corporal ;  discharged  with  the 

21 


company.  "Sister"  Amey  was  one  of  the  best  beloved 
sisters  in  army  circles. 

Jesse  Allen  enlisted  at  Maquon,  111.  ;  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran;  discharged  with  the  company.  Jess  was  a 
lively  boy  and  a  good  soldier. 

James  M.  Bay  enlisted  from  Abingdon,  111.  ;  re-en 
listed  as  a  veteran ;  discharged  with  the  company. 
James  M.  Bay  was  at  all  times  and  under  all  circum 
stances  a  good  soldier. 

Robert  Bay  enlisted  at  Abingdon,  111.  ;  mustered  out 
with  the  non -veterans.  "Our  Bobby"  was  all  sand, 
and  when  his  constitution  was  played  out  he  marched 
and  fought  on  "his  by-laws". 

Aaron  Boatman  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  re-enlisted 
as  a  veteran ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  wounded  at  Span 
ish  Fort,  Ala.,  29  March,  1865;  discharged  with  the 
company.  "Mother"  Boatman  was  one  of  the  pets  of 
our  household;  the  title  of  "mother"  was  given  him  as 
a  mark  of  respect  for  his  many  good  qualities. 

Grove  L.  Chapman  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  re-en 
listed  as  a  veteran  ;  discharged  as  a  Sergeant  for  wounds 
received  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  Chapman  was  a  manly 
soldier  and  was  loved  by  every  member  of  H  Company. 

Henry  B.  Clark  enlisted  at  Cambridge,  111.  ;  dis 
charged  for  disability  ;  re-enlisted  in  another  regiment; 
was  captured  and  treated  in  such  an  inhumane  manner 
that  he  became  deformed  in  body,  a  sad  reminder  of 
"man's  inhumanity  to  man". 

Reuben  H.  Conant  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  re -en 
listed  as  a  veteran  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ;  discharged 
with  the  regiment.  "Reube"  was  the  "Jack  of  Clubs" 
of  H  Company,  and  always  took  a  trick  in  camp,  on 
the  march  or  in  battle. 

Ebbur  A.  Converse  enlisted  from  Cambridge,  111.  ;  re- 
enlisted  as  a  veteran  ;  was  wounded  in  the  leg  near  Old 
Town  Landing,  Ark.  "Eb"  was  an  odd  specimen, 
and  a  thoroughly  good  boy..  He  could  be  depended  on 
365  days  in  the  year. 

James  B.  Davy  enlisted  from  Maquon,  111.  ;  re-en 
listed  as  a  veteran ;  discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for 
wounds  received  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  James  B.  Davy 
was  an  English  lad  by  birth,  and  an  American  soldier 
by  choice.  There  were  not  enough  rebels  in  the  south 
to  scare  or  drive  our  "John  Bull" -a  clean,  brave, 
honest  soldier. 

William  H.  Davis  enlisted  at  Maquon,  111.  ;  died  at 
Arcadia,  Mo.,  Dec.  19,  1861.  His  was  the  first  death 
in  Company  H,  and  there  was  deep  sorrow  when 
"Billy"  left  us. 

James  M.  Ellison  enlisted  at  Abingdon,  111.  ;  dis 
charged  for  disability.  A  good  soldier  in  every  way, 
but  hard  marching  in  snow,  mud  and  rain,  with  short 
rations  and  sometimes  no  rations,  wore  him  out,  as  it 
did  many  another  good  man. 

Samuel  J.  Fletcher  enlisted  from  Ellison,  111. 
Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  May,  1863;  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran  ;  discharged  as  a  Corporal.  Fletcher  was  one 
of  the  "stayers"  of  Company  H. 

James  Harris  enlisted  at  Abingdon,   111.     Dishonor- 


162 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ably  discharged  at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  by  Court  Martial, 
October  1,  1862.  Nevertheless  James  Harris  was  a  good 
soldier.  He  was  goaded  to  madness  over  a  trivial 
affair,  and  then  insulted  and  outraged.  He  had  an 
honorable  discharge  from  the  three  months'  service 
previous  to  joining  Company  H,  enlisted  in  another 
regiment  soon  after  his  discharge  from  the  33rd  ;  served 
to  end  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged  as  Sergeant. 
Company  H  boys  will  long  remember  Jim  Harris,  Cor 
poral  "Thrifty"  and  the  "Shelalah  drill". 

Joseph  Freeze  enlisted  at  Abingdon,  111.  Discharged 
for  disability.  Army  life  was  too  much  for  poor  Joe. 

Festus  C.  Hays  enlisted  at  Victoria,  111.  Transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  Hard  marches,  short  rations 
nor  fierce  battles  could  abolish  the  pensive  smile  from 
the  benign  countenance  of  "Grandmother"  Hays.  He 
was  a  kind  and  loving  comrade. 

Lauren  Myron  Hicks  enlisted  at  Victoria,  111.  Died 
at  Old  Town,  Ark.,  Sept.  21,  1862.  Myron  Hicks  was 
a  good,  faithful  soldier.  [See  an  account  of  his  death 
in  E  Company  sketch,  page  132.  — V.  G.  Way.] 

Loren  Hitt  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  Mustered  out 
at  expiration  of  term  of  service.  Loren  always  held 
"two  pair"  under  all  circumstances.  He  was  the  Gen 
eral  George  H.  Thomas  of  H  Company. 

George  S.  Jacks  enlisted  from  Burns  township, 
Henry  county,  111.  Re-enlisted  as  a  veteran ;  promoted 
to  Sergeant  and  discharged  with  the  regiment.  A 
better  soldier  than  George  S.  Jacks  never  cracked  hard 
tack. 

Asahel  Keys  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  Discharged 
for  disability  Feb.  9,  1863.  Asahel  Keys  was  a  typical 
American  soldier,  brave,  self-reliant  and  determined, 
and  when  he  was  discharged  he  left  many  friends  and 
no  enemies  in  Company  H. 

Alexander  Koehler  enlisted  at  Geneseo,  111.  Re-en 
listed  as  a  veteran ;  wounded  at  Black  River,  Miss. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  Oct.  14,  1865.  Corporal 
Koehler  was  a  fine  German-American  soldier  and  was 
beloved  by  every  member  of  H  Company. 

David  Laird  enlisted  at  Monmouth,  111.  Promoted 
to  3rd  Sergeant  Dec.  1,  1861,  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by 
transfer  of  Sergt.  W.  B.  Morse  to  pack  train.  Died  on 
hospital  boat  during  siege  of  Vicksburg.  Sergt.  Laird 
was  a  Christian  soldier  and  one  who  practiced  his  reli 
gion  every  day  of  his  life. 

Arthur  D.  Martin  enlisted  from  Victoria,  111.  Died 
at  Terre  Bonne,  La.,  Sept.  1,  1864.  Arthur  D.  was  one 
of  the  best  of  the  good  boys  of  H. 

Daniel  McHenry  enlisted  from  Maquon,  111.  Re-en 
listed  as  veteran.  Dan  McHenry  was  the  wit  of  Com 
pany  H— a  good  man  in  camp  and  field. 

Albert  W.  Morgan  enlisted  from  Cornwall  township, 
Henry  county,  111.  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps.  Morgan  suffered  more,  and  still  did  his  duty 
uncomplainingly,  than  any  man  in  Company  H. 

Fred  H.  Ferris  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  re-enlisted 
as  a  veteran  ;  promoted  2nd  Lieutenant  in  the  74th  U. 
8.  C.  I.  10th  May,  1864.  Ferris  improved  his  time  by 


study ;  thus  fitted  himself  for  the  position  which  merit 
and  ability  secured  for  him. 

Matthew  Reed  enlisted  from  St.  Augustine,  111.  ;  re- 
enlisted  as  a  veteran.  He  was  a  good  soldier  in  every 
respect,  was  promoted  to  Corporal  and  discharged  with 
the  company. 

Lafayette  Smith  enlisted  from  lona,  111.  ;  died  May 
31st,  1863,  in  hospital  at  Milliken's  Bend,  La.,  from 
wounds  received  at  Black  River,  Miss.,  May  17th,  1863. 
He  was  brave  to  a  fault;  his  rashness  while  on  the 
skirmish  line  cost  him  his  life. 

Samuel  W.  Smith  enlisted  at  Maquon  ;  re-enlisted  as 
a  veteran.  Sam  was  one  of  the  "Smith  family"  and 
was  "from  the  state  of  Maquon".  The  boys  will  re 
member  how  Sam  used  to  sing  "Stony  Hill  Butter". 

Henry  Steel  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  Mustered  out 
Oct.  11,  1864.  "Saxey"  Steel  "got  there"  every  time. 

Isaac  L.  Vail  enlisted  from  Burns  township,  Henry 
county,  111.  Re-enlisted  as  a  veteran.  Ike  Vail  had 
no  superior  in  the  regiment  as  a  soldier.  Always 
prompt  and  ready  for  duty,  energetic,  able,  and  rashly 
brave. 

Joseph  E.  Spencer  enlisted  from  Camden,  111.  Pro 
moted  5th  Corporal  Dec.  10th,  1861  ;  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran.  Promoted  to  Sergeant.  Discharged  with  the 
company.  Sergt.  Spencer  was  all  through  his  soldier 
life  a  practical  Christian,  who  wore  his  religion  as  he 
did  his  uniform,  without  display.  He  was  at  all  times 
trusty  and  true. 

George  H.  Jarvis  enlisted  from  Granger,  Ohio.  Re- 
enlisted  as  a  veteran  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant;  discharged 
Dec.  6,  1865,  as  George  W.  Hand,  which  was  his  real 
name.  There  was  nothing  dishonorable  in  his  change 
of  name,  as  those  who  know  the  facts  can  certify. 
That  he  was  a  good  soldier  all  his  comrades  would  be 
willing  to  testify. 

William  H.  Cemer  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  ;  re-en 
listed  as  a  veteran;  died  at  Cairo,  111.,  Nov.  14,  1864. 
"Billy"  was  a  noble  little  fellow. 

Nathan  B.  Hamilton  enlisted  from  Monmouth,  111.  ; 
re-enlisted  as  a  veteran;  discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Nathan  was  another  Christian  who  lived  up  to  his  pro 
fession  365  days  in  the  year,  and  for  four  years  and  two 
months  of  soldier  life. 

Jacob  Miller  enlisted  from  Abingdon,  111.  Re-en 
listed  as  a  veteran.  Jake  Miller  was  the  guardian  angel 
of  Company  H.  If  any  one  wanted  to  fuss  with  any  of 
the  H  boys  he  had  to  first  run  up  against  Jake.  After 
a  "seance"  with  him  there  was  no  more  trouble. 

Samuel  Fletcher. —The  Adjutant  General's  report  says 
he  enlisted  March  11,  1863,  at  Galesburg,  111.  "He 
was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal."  We 
think  this  is  wrong;  that  he  enlisted  in  1861  and  was 
mustered  out  as  a  private  in  1863. 

William  F.  Giddings  enlisted  at  Kewanee,  111.  He 
was  a  lively  boy.  Does  William  remember  the  three- 
cornered  rebel  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  who  sang  the  "Bon 
nie  Blue  Flag"  so  vigorously? 

Benjamin  Gates  enlisted  Dec.  20,  1861,  at  Cap  Grove, 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


163 


111.  Promoted  Hospital  Steward;  was  never  identified 
with  H  Company,  except  to  be  carried  on  the  rolls. 

Joseph  Jones  1st  enlisted  from  Henry  county,  111. 
Re-enlisted  as  a  veteran.  "The  Chaplain"  was  a  dandy. 

Eleaser  H.  Miller  enlisted  from  Naperville,  111. 
Eleaser  came  into  the  army  a  bright  boy ;  he  was  mus- 
tured  out  a  bright  little  man. 

Alvin  K.  Mott  enlisted  at  Galesburg,  111.  Alvin 
when  he  enlisted  was  an  innocent  boy.  "He  fought 
the  good  fight  (at  Mobile),  finished  his  course;  hence 
forth  there  is  for  him  a  crown". 

Amon  C.  W.  Vaughn  enlisted  at  Naperville,  111.  A 
good  man  and  a  fine  soldier. 

John  Walker  and  Milton  Risley  enlisted  March  8, 
1862.  Walker  was  from  Poinsett  county,  Ark.  He  died 
at  Pocahontas,  Ark.,  May  9,  1802.  Risley  was  from 
Green  county,  Ark.  He  died  at  Pocahontas,  Ark., 
May  26,  1862.  Walker  and  Risley  came  into  our  com 
pany  at  Pocahontas,  Ark.,  March  8,  18(52.  They  had 
been  hiding  from  Confederate  conscripting  officers  for 
many  weeks  and  were  in  a  very  destitute  condition, 
without  hats,  coats  or  shoes.  They  were  fine  boys,  but 
exposure  and  lack  of  food  had  exhausted  their  vitality. 

The  men  who  were  transferred  to  Company  H  from 
the  72nd,  117tb  and  122nd  Illinois,  75  in  number,  at 
Meridian,  Miss.,  in  July,  1865,  were  good  soldiers. 
Some  of  them  had  fine  records  in  the  regiments  from 
which  they  were  transferred.  They  were  manly  fellows 
and  cheerfully  complied  with  company  requirements. 
The  kind  treatment  given  to  them  by  the  original 
members  of  H  Company  soon  won  their  good  will,  and 
their  connection  with  the  company  was  a  pleasure  to 
all  of  ,us.  While  at  Meridian  there  was  a  time  that 
Company  H  had  no  officers  with  it,  both  officers  being 
on  detached  service,  and  yet  Col.  Elliott  complimented 
the  company  highly  for  its  discipline  and  drill.  Being 
in  need  of  an  officer  later  to  sign  papers,  etc.,  Lieut. 
Rew  of  G  Company  was  assigned  to  the  command,  and 
afterwards  Lieut.  Fyffe  of  A  Company  took  charge  of 
the  company.  Both  of  these  excellent  young  officers 
wisely  decided  to  let  H  Company  "run  itself"  in  our 
own  way. 

No  more  need  be  said  of  H  than  that  it  was  proud  of 
being  a  part  of  the  33rd  Illinois. 

The  summary  of  the  roster  shows  the  company  was 
unfortunate  in  some  respects,  but  on  the  whole  it  was 
a  very  fortunate  company.  It  always  went  where  it 
was  sent,  did  its  work  in  a  satisfactory  manner  and  lost 
but  few  men.  The  hand  of  trouble  through  sickness 
bore  heavy  upon  it,  showing  that  H  Company  was 
where  duty  called.  The  unusually  large  number  of 
"unaccounted  for"  is  a  sad  reminder  of  the  negligent 
manner  in  which  company  records  were  kept  by  those 
to  whom  such  duty  was  intrusted.  The  inscription 
"unknown"  on  the  headstones  in  our  National  ceme 
teries  is  an  unenviable  commentary  on  such  neglect. 

In  this  sketch  it  is  not  the  intention  to  write  a  his 
tory  of  H  Company,  as  the  history  of  the  33rd  Illi 
nois  is  being  written  by  Col.  Elliott,  who  will  do  full 


justice  to  H,  which  had  no  history  separate  and  dis 
tinct  from  the  regiment.  It  is  impossible  to  write  a 
correct  roster  of  the  company  now,  after  more  than 
forty  years  since  its  organization,  especially  as  the  Ad 
jutant  General's  report  is  so  absolutely  incorrect.  There 
is  no  data  upon  which  a  perfect  roster  can  be  founded, 
and  if  any  mistakes  are  made  in  this  very  imperfect 
attempt,  or  if  any  injustice  is  done  to  any,  in  facts, 
figures  or  dates,  they  will  please  remember  all  the  diffi 
culties  of  the  undertaking  and  pardon  the  writer,  who 
has  undertaken  the  job  because  others  more  competent 
will  not  do  it.  I  do  so  however  with  a  great  deal  of  re 
luctance,  for  the  reason  that  to-day,  the  18th  of  March, 
1902,  I  am  70  years  of  age,  and  am  therefore  too  old  to 
engage  in  such  an  undertaking. 

"Scenes  of  my  youth  awake  my  slumbering  fire." 
As  my  memory  goes  back  to  events  that  transpired  al 
most  forty  years  ago,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  decide  where  to 
begin,  and  where  to  end.  Perhaps  the  campaign  in 
Missouri  in  the  winter  of  '62  and  '63  was  as  hard  as 
any  the  33rd  was  engaged  in.  At  least  there  was  as 
much  misery,  hardship,  and  privation  endured  in  that 
fruitless  campaign  under  General  Davidson  as  any  dur 
ing  our  fifty  months  of  trying  service.  We  had  made 
the  hot,  hard  and  exhausting  campaign  of  the  summer 
of  1862  to  Helena,  Ark.,  and  had  left  many  a  good  boy 
to  "sleep  by  the  wayside"  along  our  line  of  march, 
then  bad  been  transferred  from  the  warm  climate  of 
Arkansas  to  the  cold  climate  of  Missouri  to  make  a 
hard  campaign  in  the  dead  of  winter.  The  regiment 
camped  for  a  time  at  Patterson,  Mo.  On  the  15th  of 
November  we  established  our  camp  at  Van  Buren. 

On  the  25th  of  December  at  Van  Buren  we,  or  a  few 
of  us,  had  a  little  trouble  with  General  Davidson.  As 
Sergeant  of  the  Guard,  I  had  been  detailed  to  guard 
the  pontoon  bridge  across  the  river.  Our  printed  in 
structions  signed  by  General  Davidson  read,  "Not  to 
allow  any  one  to  cross  the  bridge  without  a  pass,  and 
to  require  all  horsemen  to  dismount  before  crossing." 
Soon  after  we  were  posted  on  guard,  one  of  the  sentinels 
warned  us  to  "turn  out  the  reserve  guards  to  salute  the 
Commanding  General".  We  immediately  fell  into  line 
and  presented  arms  as  the  General  and  two  officers  rode 
by.  They  rode  straight  for  the  bridge  and  attempted 
to  cross,  when  they  were  halted  by  the  guard.  The 
General  was  furious,  and  demanded  to  know  why  he 
was  halted ;  he  was  told  that  all  horsemen  must  dis 
mount  before  crossing.  The  General  called  for  the  Cor 
poral  of  the  Guard,  who  informed  him  that  he  must 
dismount  if  he  wanted  to  cross  on  the  bridge.  "Who 
gave  you  such  a  foolish  order?"  asked  the  irate  Gener 
al.  "The  Sergeant  of  the  Guard,"  was  the  answer. 
"Where  is  your  Sergeant?"  When  I  put  in  my  ap 
pearance,  he  began  to  abuse  me.  I  informed  him  we 
were  acting  under  orders,  and  he  could  not  go  over  the 
bridge  mounted.  "Do  you  know  who  I  am,  sir?"  said 
he.  "Yes,"  I  replied.  "Well,  sir,  I  am  going  over 
that  bridge  mounted."  While  we  were  talking  the 
Reserve  Guards  had  filed  across  the  bridge  and  ob- 


164 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


structed  the  road.  "Do  you  dare  to  resist  a  General  of 
the  army?"  he  yelled.  "Yes,  sir,  under  instructions, 
and  in  line  of  duty,  I  would  resist  the  President  him 
self."  Shaking  with  anger,  he  ordered  me  to  report  to 
him  as  soon  as  I  was  relieved  from  duty.  He  turned 
his  horse  and  rode  away.  As  soon  as  I  was  relieved, 
with  my  ears  drooping  like  those  of  an  army  mule  in 
distress,  I  marched  up  and  saluted  the  General.  He 
saluted  me  in  return  and  said  he  was  glad  to  find  vol 
unteer  soldiers  who  knew  their  duty  and  dared  to  do  it 
under  all  circumstances;  that  he  did  not  know  of  the 
existence  of  such  an  order  until  so  informed  by  his 
Adjutant  on  his  return  to  headquarters.  He  then  sa 
luted,  giving  me  to  understand  the  interview  was 
ended.  I  returned  to  camp  feeling  much  better  than  I 
did  before  the  interview. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  '03,  we  started  in  the  mud 
and  slush  to  go  farther  south  and  west.  I  had  a  little 
experience  that  day  which  is  worth  relating.  While 
crossing  one  of  the  swift  mountain  streams  on  a  fallen 
tree,  three  of  the  boys  of  H  who  were  "overloaded" 
and  rather  timid  about  "cooning"  trees,  fell  into  the 
water,  and  before  they  were  rescued  they  were  pretty 
well  water-soaked.  The  Captain  ordered  me  to  take 
charge  of  the  three  fallen  angels  of  H  and  .get  them 
into  some  house  or  barn  along  the  road,  make  them 
comfortable  and  rejoin  the  company.  We  had  traveled 
about  a  mile  when  we  came  to  a  large  barn  where  other 
disconsolates  were  resting.  They  had  built  a  fire  on 
the  ground  floor,  and  I  soon  had  the  boys  comfortable 
and  happy.  When  I  started  to  overtake  my  company 
it  was  raining  and  the  road  was  like  a  quagmire. 
With  my  "gum  blanket"  over  my  shoulders  I  plodded 
on,  not  in  a  very  hilarious  frame  of  mind.  Presently 
I  overtook  an  army  train  stuck  in  the  mud.  The  mules 
were  tuneful.  The  teamsters  were  "cussing"  and  the 
wagon  master  was  roaring,  while  the  rain  was  gently 
falling  on  the  just  and  the  unjust.  A  heavy  detail  of 
soldiers  was  helping  the  train,  and  a  2nd  Lieutenant 
was  bossing  the  job.  He  was  a  small  man,  with  a 
small  head  and  still  smaller  brain,  and  he  did  not  fit 
his  shoulder  straps  by  several  diameters.  He  had  taken 
a  drink  or  two  of  "mountain  dew"  and  it  had  rushed 
to  his  head  to  fill  the  vacuum.  He  was  rushing  his 
horse  from  one  end  of  the  train  to  the  other  in  a  per 
fect  frenzy.  I  seated  myself  on  a  stone  near  the  road, 
and  was  quietly  eating  my  dinner  of  hard  tack  and 
"raw  bacon",  and  was  otherwise  enjoying  life  to  rny 
full  capacity,  when  the  little  fellow  rode  up  and  or 
dered  me  to  put  my  things  in  a  wagon  and  help  lift 
the  teams  out  of  the  mud.  I  politely  told  him  I  had  a 
prior  engagement.  Then  he  rushed  his  horse  up  the 
bank  and  tried  to  ride  over  me,  and  finally  drew  his 
sword  and  tried  to  strike  me.  I  fixed  my  bayonet  to 
repel  his  cavalry  charge,  and  in  one  of  his  frantic 
efforts  his  horse  threw  him,  and  I  had  a  fine  life-size 
portrait  of  the  little  fellow,  taken  in  Missouri  mud. 
To  avoid  trouble  I  started  on,  and  had  gone  probably 
half  a  mile  when,  on  looking  back,  I  saw  the  Lieuten 


ant  coming  after  me  as  fast  as  his  poor  horse  could 
travel.  Hastily  loading  my  gun  "in  nine  times",  I 
continued  my  weary  way.  I  did  not  want  to  kill  him, 
as  it  would  muss  up  the  road,  but  I  intended  to  defend 
myself.  To  avoid  trouble  I  left  the  road  and  hid  in  the 
brush.  Soon  I  heard  him  go  by,  and  I  thought  it 
better  to  let  him  empty  his  profanity  and  wrath  on 
space,  rather  than  on  me.  A  little  later  I  saw  him  re 
turning  to  his  command. 

By  this  time  it  was  snowing,  and  the  prospect  was 
dismal.  1  could  see  nothing  of  the  regiment,  and 
night  was  coming  on.  An  hour  later  the  snow  con 
cealed  all  tracks,  but  I  pressed  on  until  I  had  crossed  a 
creek  and  came  to  a  fork  of  the  road.  Which  road  to 
take  I  could  not  decide.  One  no  doubt  led  to  the  Con 
federate  camp,  but  which  one?  Near  the  creek  which 
I  had  crossed  was  a  small  hut  that  had  been  burned.  I 
walked  back  to  the  place,  raked  a  few  embers  together 
and  started  a  fire.  The  snow  was  still  falling  furiously. 
The  gravel  bed  on  which  the  hut  had  stood  was  hot, 
and  the  snow  melted  on  it  as  fast  as  it  fell.  I  decided 
to  camp  down  for  the  night,  and  filling  my  canteen 
and  can  with  water  from  the  creek,  proceeded  to  cook 
my  supper.  It  was  the  same  "old  thing" — coffee, 
bacon  and  hard-tack  ;  not  very  sumptuous,  but  filling. 
After  supper  I  gathered  a  few  large  half-burned  brands 
together,  spread  my  woolen  blanket  on  the  warm  gravel 
bed  near  the  fire,  and  after  repeating  "Now  I  lay  me 
down  to  sleep",  I  spread  my  rubber  blanket  over  me 
and  "slept  the  sleep  of  the  just,  made  contented 
through  suffering".  In  the  morning  when  I  awoke  I 
found  I  was  under  four  inches  of  snow.  If  I  had  suf 
fered  any  during  the  night  I  did  not  know  it.  After  a 
hearty  breakfast  of  hard-tack,  bacon  and  coffee,  I 
started  on  and  took  the  left-hand  road  at  the  forks.  I 
had  not  gone  more  than  a  hundred  yards  before  I  heard 
the  challenge,  "Halt!  Who  goes  there?"  I  recognized 
the  voice  as  that  of  Grove  Chapman,  of  Company  H, 
and  in  a  moment  I  was  in  the  "house  of  my  friends". 
When  I  reached  camp,  an  hour  later,  Company  H  was 
going  out  on  an  expedition  of  some  kind.  I  was  ex 
cused  from  duty  and  remained  in  camp. 

On  the  16th  of  January  we  "swung  out"  again,  and 
after  a  hard  and  trying  march  in  mud,  rain,  and  snow, 
we  reached  Alton,  Mo.,  in  a  driving  rain,  which  turned 
to  snow  on  the  19th.  At  Alton  we  were  on  half  rations 
and  with  dismal  prospects  before  us.  On  the  22nd  the 
regiment  took  the  back  track  for  Van  Buren  to  guard  a 
pontoon  train  to  the  front.  Passing  "Eleven  Points" 
and  "Falling  Spring",  we  reached  Pine  Tree  Camp, 
within  ten  miles  of  Van  Buren,  on  the  24th.  There 
the  regiment  rested,  while  Companies  H  and  G  made 
the  hard  ten-mile  march  to  Van  Buren  on  the  after 
noon  of  the  25th  and  returned  to  Pine  Tree  on  the  27th. 
On  the  28th  we  started  to  rejoin  the  army,  and  passing 
through  Thomasville  reached  West  Plains,  where  the 
army  was,  on  the  2nd  of  February,  1803.  Here  we 
were  brigaded  with  the  99th  Illinois  and  the  llth 
Wisconsin. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


165 


On  the  7th  we  were  paid.  Being  on  short  rations, 
and  in  hard  circumstances  generally,  I  invested  some 
of  my  surplus  wealth  with  the  sutler.  I  bought  two 
pounds  of  crackers  for  50  cents,  one  can  of  condensed 
milk  for  75  cents,  and  one  (alleged)  beef  tongue,  dried 
or  petrified,  for  75  cents.  That  tongue  was  worth 
double  the  price  I  paid  for  it.  It  lasted  me  till  the  end 
of  the  campaign,  and  was  a  constant  source  of  enjoy 
ment  to  me.  I  used  it  to  whet  my  appetite  on  and  to 
give  me  a  relish  for  sour  bacon  and  wormy  hard  tack. 
It  was  no  doubt  taken  from  a  deceased  mule— one  that 
had  "passed  over  the  river  of  death"  on  a  previous 
campaign.  After  I  had  eaten  and  digested  it,  when 
ever  I  heard  the  mules  lifting  up  their  tuneful  voices 
in  praise  of  the  wagonmaster,  I  felt  an  irresistible  im 
pulse  to  join  the  chorus,  and  often,  after  I  came  home, 
I  would  waken  from  a  peaceful  sleep  and  find  myself 
gnawing  the  head  board  of  my  bedstead  (I  have  an 
iron  bedstead  now). 

We  left  West  Plains  on  the  8th  of  February  and 
marched  20  miles  in  the  mud.  On  the  9th  General 
Davidson  left  us.  There  may  have  been  many  tears 
unshed  on  that  occasion.  General  Benton  of  sacred 
memory  took  command  and  marched  us  five  miles, 
and  halted  the  army  to  "give  the  boys  a  rest".  We 
went  into  camp  and  rested  until  morning;  then  started 
and  marched  8  miles.  We  rested  in  camp  on  the  llth 
and  12th.  On  the  13th  William  Fremole,  Jake  Miller 
and  myself,  with  several  other  men  of  the  regiment, 
were  detailed  to  report  to  the  Quartermaster  for  forag 
ing  duty.  We  started  out  behind  the  cavalry  advance 
guard,  and  in  advance  of  the  regiment,  and  had  gone 
about  two  miles  when  I  was  ordered  to  take  the  H  men 
and  a  G  man  and  visit  a  farm  house  some  distance 
ahead  and  half  a  mile  from  the  road.  As  we  ap 
proached  the  house  we  heard  an  awful  commotion,  and 
dividing  our  force  we  rushed  around  the  house,  where 
we  found  an  old  negro  tied  to  a  tree,  while  his  master 
was  "dressing  him  down"  with  a  whip.  The  lady  of 
the  house  stood  in  the  door  enjoying  the  national  sport 
of  the  "Carrion  Crow  Confederacy",  while  smoking  a 
cob  pipe.  The  old  man  and  his  gentle  wife  were  a 
well-matched  couple.  He  was  a  short,  thick-set  old 
ruffian,  with  a  shock  of  black  hair  and  whiskers  that 
evidently  had  not  been  combed  since  Jackson's  time, 
and  his  mouth  resembled  a  hole  in  a  blanket.  She  was 
long,  lank  and  lean,  with  brindle  hair.  Her  mouth 
was  a  misfit,  and  being  too  wide  for  her  face,  was  put 
on  at  a  "right-oblique, "  cut  bias,  as  it  were.  Jake 
Miller  knocked  the  old  villain  down,  and  a  Company  G 
man  cut  the  poor  "nig"  loose.  I  tried  to  compliment 
the  old  lady  ;  I  intended  to  call  her  a  venno,  but  by 
mistake  I  called  her  a  virago.  She  flew  at  me  like  an 


enraged  tornado  and  set  her  mouth  going  at  full  veloc 
ity.  As  she  could  accomplish  nothing  in  that  way, 
she  rushed  to  the  fire  place,  took  a  shovel,  and  began  to 
hurl  hot  embers  at  us,  but  in  her  frantic  efforts  her 
shovel  scattered  worse  than  her  mouth,  and  she  soon 
had  the  legs  of  her  prostrate  husband  enveloped  in 
flames.  Bill  Fremole  drenched  him  down  with  a  pail 
of  swill  that  was  conveniently  near.  We  captured  two 
wagon  loads  of  food  for  man  and  beast  from  the  worthy 
couple,  and  the  other  foragers  did  still  better  along  the 
road.  The  negroes  belonging  to  the  old  man  followed 
the  army  to  Middlebrook. 

On  the  14th  Company  H  was  detailed  to  help  the 
teams  through  the  mud.  We  went  through  Eminence, 
Centerville  and  Lesterville,  and  reached  Bellview  Val 
ley  on  the  20th,  within  four  miles  of  Pilot  Knob,  and 
our  hard,  fruitless  and  inglorious  campaign  was  ended. 
On  the  3rd  of  March  we  moved  camp  to  Middlebrook, 
where  we  drew  full  rations,  new  clothing  arid  all  the 
necessities  of  soldier  life,  and  were  assigned  to  General 
Carr's  division,  preparatory  to  taking  part  in  the 
Vicksburg  campaign. 

I  cannot  close  this  sketch  without  saying  this  in  re 
gard  to  Company  H :  The  boys  need  no  praise  from 
me;  each  one  made  a  record  to  be  proud  of.  They  all 
had  courage  equal  to  any  drafts  that  were  made  upon 
them.  None  of  them  would  adorn  a  pink  tea,  or  a 
public  function  ;  not  one  of  them  would  give  undue 
honors  to  a  prince  or  bend  the  knee  to  royalty.  They 
would  leave  all  that  for  the  snobs  and  parasites  of  so 
ciety.  They  were  sturdy  and  stalwart  men,  and  true  to 
the  principles  for  which  they  fought.  Many  imagine 
that  all  the  problems  of  death  and  a  future  life  have 
been  solved,  and  expect  to  enjoy  the  music  of  harps 
and  the  songs  of  angels  through  eternity.  But  many 
of  our  comrades  died  who  were  not  counted  among  the 
"saints".  They  fill  unhonored  graves  in  six  states  of 
the  south.  They  died  "unwept,  unhonored  and  un 
sung".  No  costly  marble  marks  their  graves;  they 
were  not  rich ;  they  were  not  counted  among  our 
"rulers";  but  they  died  that  others  might  live— that 
others  might  become  rich  and  might  "rule".  Others 
have  died  since  the  war  and  have  been  forgotten  by  all 
but  a  few.  They  were  only  "common  people",  yet 
they  helped  to  save  the  nation.  What  they  did  will  be 
remembered  long  after  prince,  potentate  and  Dives  have 
crumbled  into  dust. 

When  I  come  to  the  shore  of  the  river  of  death,  if  I 
can  hear  the  rattle  of  the  drum,  the  sweet,  shrill  notes 
of  the  fife  and  the  glad  shout  of  my  comrades  coming 
across  the  bright  waters,  rriy  cup  of  happiness  will  be 
full  to  overflowing. 

JOHN  M.  FOLLETT. 


1G6 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ROSTER  OF  "H"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  J9  September,  J86J.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  18  September,  J86J.     Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1865. 


SYNOPSIS. 


Strength  at  organization 66 

Number  of  recruits 37 

Number  transferred  at  Meridan,  Miss 75 

Total  on  company  rolls 178 

Deaths  from  sickness 17 

Deaths  from  wounds 3 

Discharged  for  sickness 21 

Resigned 1 


Resigned  for  wounds 1 

Discharged  for  expiration  term  of  service 19 

Strength  at  muster-out 68 

Deserters 4 

Dishonorable  discharge 1 

Transferred  into  other  service 8 

Discharged  for  promotion 3 

No  report  as  to  what  became  of  them 32 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 
McKenzie,  James  A  
Smith,  George  E  

Cambridge  
Galesburg  

18  Sept.,  '61,  to  10  Mch.,  '63.  .  . 
10  Mch.,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  .... 

Served  as  Provost  Marshal  at  Helena,  Ark.    Promoted  Provost  Marshal. 
General  on  staff  of  Genl.  Curtis.     Resigned  at  St.  Genevicve,  Mo. 
Provost  Marshal  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  in  1864.    Discharged  with  the  reg 

IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Smith.  George  E 

Galesburg 

18  Sept.,  '61,  to  10  Mch.,  '63. 

iment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Captain  at  St.  Genevieve,  Mo. 

Williams,  Robert  P  

Galesburg  

10  Mch.,  '63,  to  1  July  '63  

Resigned  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Wounded  at  Black  River,  Miss.  May  17,  '65. 

Chambers,  Emmet  Bt... 

Knoxville  

1  July,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65 

Served  as  Brigade  and  Division  Inspector.    Discharged  with   the  reg 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Williams,  Robert  P  

Galesburg  

18  Sept.,  '61,  to  10  Mch.,  '63. 

iment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  at  St.  Genevieve,  Mo. 

Chambers,  Emmett  B. 

Knoxville 

10  Mch.,  '63,  to  1  July.  '63 

Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Follett,  John  M  

Galesburg  

21  Sept.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

SERGEANT. 
Chambers,  Emmett  B. 

Knoxville 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  10  Mch.,  '63. 

Promoted  1st  Sergeant  20  Nov.,  '61;  to  2nd  Lieutenant. 

Follett,  John  M 

Galesburg 

19  Sept.,  61,  to  21  Sept.,  '65 

Promoted  to  1st  Sergeant  1  Oct.,  '64.     Promoted  to  2nd  Lieutenant. 

Morse,  William  B  

Abingdon  .... 

24  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Dec.,  '61.. 

Transferred  from  E  Company  19  Sept.,   '61.     Elected  3rd   Sergeant  20 

Barrer,  Thomas  

Galesburg.  .  . 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Nov.,  '61.    Transferred  to  pack  train. 
Promoted  to  1st  Sergeant  21  Sept.,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Jackson,  James  F  
CORPORAL. 
Ryland,  John  M 

Galesburg..  
Galesburg 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .. 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Sept.,  '65 

as  1st  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  as  Sergeant  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Promoted  to  1st  Sergeant  24  March,  '63.     Detached  from  the  regiment. 

Tripp,  Augustus  J  

Victoria  

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  2  Dec.,  '61  ... 

Re-enlisted  24  March,   '64.    Promoted   to  2nd   Lieutenant.    Never 
mustered  as  Lieutenant.    Discharged  while  on  detached   service 
as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Appointed  2nd  Corporal  20  Nov.,  '61.    Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Hyde,  Jedediah  S  .  . 

Galesburg 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  19  Aug.,  '62. 

Appointed  Corporal  20  Nov.,  '61.     Died  at  Helena,  Ark. 

Jackson,  Henry  C. 

Galesburg 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  . 

Appointed  Corporal  20  Nov.,  '61.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Jackson,  Eli  F. 

Galesburg 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  1  Sept.,  '65 

Appointed  Corporal  20  Nov.,  '61.    Served  on  Color  Guard.    Discharged 

Goddard,  George  V.  R  
Ball,  Nathan  

Galesburg  
Monmouth. 

10  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  9  Feb.,  '63 

at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  wounds  received  at  Spanish  Fort,   Ala.,  in 
March,  '65.     Veteran. 
Appointed  Corporal  20  Nov.,  '61.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

Hatch,  John  T. 

Oneida 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  22  Feb.,  '63. 

Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 

MUSICIAN. 

Steele,  Samuel  F  
Rodecker,  William  H  

WAGONER. 
Martz,  Alexander  
PRIVATE. 
Allen,  Jesse  W... 

Abingdon  
Abingdon    

St.  Augustine  .. 
Maquon 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  30  Sept.,  '62  .. 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  22  Feb.,  '63  ... 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability. 
Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 

Transferred  to  post  wagon  train. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Amey,  Amos  

Lenox  

12  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Promoted  Corporal.    Veteran. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY, 

"H"  COMPA  NY  ROSTER-Continued. 


167 


NAME  AND  RANK. 


RESIDENCE. 


TERM  OF    SERVICE. 


REMARKS. 


PRIVATE— Continued. 

Anderson,  Asa  A I  Roseville i  19  Sept., '61,  to  6  Dec., '65 !  Served  as  Colonel's  Orderly.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Ashton,  James :  Carlinville 11  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Bay,  James  M Abingdon j  19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 '  Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Bay,  Robert  B Abingdon J  19  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  ...    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Beare,  John Galesburg |  19  Sept.,  '61,  to '  Died  at  Ironton,  Mo.     Date  unknown. 

Bevington,  Hyrcanus Galesburg 7  Oct., '61,  to    I 

Birt,  William  R Bear Creefc |  24  Feb., '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July, '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Boatman.  Aaron Galesburg  19  Sept., '61,  to  6  Dec., '65 Wounded  March  29, '65,  at  Spanish  Fort,  Alp.     Discharged  with  the  reg 
iment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 

Boblett,  Leander  E !  Andover j  28  March,  '64,  to  18  March,  '65. |  Died  in  New  Orleans,  La. 

Bradford,  William i  Peotone i  8  Oct., '64,  to  7  Oct., '65 j  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.   at  expiration   term  of 

service. 

Brewster,  Charles  H    Monmouth 19  Sept., '61,  to Died.     Date  and  place  unknown. 

Bristow,  Thomas  J Scottville  :  11  Nov., '64,  to  10  Nov., '65  ...    Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,   '65.    M.  O.   at  expiration  term  of 

service. 

Brothers,  Francis Galesburg 3  Feb., '62,  to '20  Nov., '63 '  Died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Brown  Benjamin  F 14  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Nov.,  '65 I  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of 

service. 

Brown,  George  W Carlinville '  25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec..  '65 Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Burns,  Thomas  S Gridley 8  Feb., '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 j  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July, '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Burton.  Hiram  S Henderson 24  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 ,  Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Butler,  Ira  E Scottville  11  Nov., '64,  to  10  Nov.,  '65...    Transferred  from  122  111.  July, '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Butler,  Thomas  C Scottville  11  Nov., '64.  to  10  Nov., '65 \   Transferred  from  122  111.  July, '65-    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Chapman,  Grove  L Victoria 19  Sept., '61,  to  18  May,  '65. ..    Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  at  New   Orleans,   La.,   for 

wounds  received  at  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.     Veteran. 

Cameron,  John Galesburg !  19  Sept., '61,  to  7  Jan., '63  .   . .    Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Carnes,  Edward  M Galesburg !  19  Sept.,  '61,  to  29  Sept.,  '63  . .    Discharged  for  disablity  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Cemer,  William  H Galesburg '  7  Oct., '61,  to  14  Nov., '64 !  Died  at  Cairo,  111.    Veteran. 

Clark,  Henry  B Cambridge 19  Sept., '61,  to  9  Feb., '63 '  Discharged  for  disability  at  West  Plains,  Mo. 

Chine,  Patrick  Cambridge !  19  Sept.,  '61,  to '  Deserted. 

Coffey,  Thomas Bloomington. ..    1  Oct., '61,  to  20  Dec., '62 Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Cole,  Stephen  D ,  Galesburg 5  Jan., '64,  to  24  Nov., '65 '  Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July, '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Coleman,  Aaron    j  Peotone 8  Oct., '64,  to  7  Oct., '65 i  Transferred  from  117  III.  July, '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Collins,  William  M :  Ionia 19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Sept.,  '62  ... !  Deserted  at  Helena,  Ark. 

Conant,  Reuben  H Galesburg 19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 j  Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 

Converse,  Ebbur  A Cambridge 19  Sept., '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 Wounded  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Veteran. 

Cooper,  William Shiloh 3  March, '64,  to  22  Oct.,  '65..   '  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July, '65.     Discharged  for  wounds. 

Crosby,  William ' 14  Aug.,  '62,  to  8  Oct.,  '65 ,  Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Davis,  William  H Maquon 10  Oct., '61  to  19  Dec., '61 !  Died  from  sickness  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Davis,  William  j  Maquon j  10  Oct., '61,  to  29  March,  '63..    Discharged  for  disability  at  Pilot  Knob,  A\o. 

Davis,  James i  Maquon 10  Oct.,  '61,  to Discharged  for  disability. 

Davis,  Jonathan Groveland 7  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Oct.,  '65 Transferred  from  122  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Davy,  James  B j  Maquon 19  Sept.,  '61,  to  13  July,  '65. . .  j  Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,   for  wounds  received  27  March,  '65,  at 

Spanish  Fort,  Ala.    Veteran. 
DeLaw,  Oscar  A Carlinville 19  Feb.,  '64,  to  30  May,  '65          Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.     Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant  in 

U.  S.  C.  I. 

Desart.  Enos  M |  Hillsboro I  29  March, '63,  to  30  Sept., '65.  j  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July, '65.    Mustered  out. 

Drummond,  George  W  . ..;  Peotone i  8  Oct.,  '64,  to  7  Oct.,  '65 |  Transferred  from  117111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Dubreal,  Francis Chesterfield  . . .    23  A\arch,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. . .  j  Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.     .\\.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

East,  John  L '  Elm  Point 4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 j  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Ellison,  James  M Abingdon 19  Sept.,  '61,  to  18  Jan.,  '63  ...  J  Discharged  for  disability  near  Alton,  Mo. 

Evans,  John  W j  Staunton j  4  Jan., '64,  to  29  Aug., '65 i  Transferred  from  122   Illinois   July,   '65.    M.   O.   as  Corporal.    Super. 

Non-Commissioned  Officer. 

Farris,  James  B Belleville j  5  Jan..  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Fauble,  Josiah  F |  Galesburg I  19  Sept., '61,  to  16  Nov., '62. ..;  Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Ferris,  Frederick  H j  Galesburg !  19  Sept., '61,  to  10  May,  '64...  |  Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant  74th  U.  S.  Colored  Infantry.    Veteran. 

Fickle,  Erastus Galesburg 3  Feb., '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 |  Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Findley,  Richard  C Mahomet 16  Jan., '64,  to i  Transferred  from  72   Illinois.    Prisoner  of   war.     Never   reported  to 

company. 

Fishback,  Josiah j  Scottville n  Nov.,  '64,  to  10  Nov.,  '65  ...    Transferred  from  122  III.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Flannery,  Thomas j  Chicago 17  March, '64,  to i  Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Wounded.    Never  reported  to 

company. 

Fletcher,  Orrin Shanghais 15  NOV.,  '61,  to  17  Feb.,  '62....    Died  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Fletcher,  Samuel  |  Galesburg 11  March. '63,  to  6  Dec., '65. ..  j  Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Fletcher,  Samuel  J Ellison 19  Sept., '61,  to  6  Dec., '65  ....    Wounded    at    Vicksburg,  Miss.,  May,   '63.    Promoted  Corporal.     Dis 
charged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Flynn,  Jonathan  W Cambridge 7  Oct., '61,  to  3  Jan., '63 Died  at  Van  Buren,  Mo. 

Freeze,  Joseph j  Abingdon    19  Sept., '61,  to  16  May, '62 Discharged  for  disability  at  Batesville,  Ark. 

Fremole,  William J  Maquon 7  Oct., '61,  to  6  Dec., '65 Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Gamlin,  John  A j  Carlinville 5  Feb., '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Gates,  Benjamin j  Cap  Grove 20  Dec., '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '62 Promoted  to  Hospital  Steward. 

Gibson,  John  A ;  Rosemond 4  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 ;  Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Giddings,  William  F ;  Kewanee j  24  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. ..    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Gwyn,  Lycurgus j  Elm  Point 4  Jan.,  '64,  to  2  Sept.,  '65 Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Gwyn,  Thomas  C •  Elm  Point 4  Jan.,  '64,  to  27  Oct.,  '65 Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Hamilton,  Nathan  B i  Tompkins 7  Oct., '61,  to  6  Dec., '65 Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 


168 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"H"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 
Hanley,  Jesse  

4  Oct.,  '63,  to  29  Aug.,  '65  .... 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '62  .... 
29  Jan.,  '64.  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
29  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Oct.,  '61,  to  7  Nov.,  '62 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois.    M.   O.   as  Sergeant.    Supernumerary. 
Non.  Com.  O. 
Dishonorably  discharged.    C.  M. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Died  at  St.  Louis. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  at  New  Orleans,  for  disability. 
Died  at  Old  Town,  Ark. 
M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Sick.    Never  reported  to  company. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  to  Missississippi  .Marine  Brigade  at  Bellview,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  122  111.  July,  '65.     M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Maquon,  III. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Proper  name  George  W.   Hand.    Pomoted  Corporal,   Sergeant.     Dis 
charged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Transferred  from  72  111.    Prisoner  of  war.    Never  reported  to  company. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Corporal.     Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Wounded  at  Black  River,  May  17, 
'63;  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  May  22,  '63.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  122  111.  July,  '65.    Sick.    Never  reported  to  company. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged. 
Promoted  3rd  Sergeant  1  Dec.,  '61.    Died  on  Hospital  boat  at  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  Miss. 
Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps  at  Fort  Esperanza,  Tex. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois,  July,  '65.     M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '05.    Sick.    Never  reported  to  company. 
Deserted  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  May  22,  '63.    Discharged  with    the   regi 
ment.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  at  expiration  term  of  service. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  reported  to  company. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  as  supernumerary   non 
commissioned  officer. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Reeves'  Station,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 
Deserted. 
Died  at  Pocahontas,  Ark. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Prisoner  of  war.    Never  reported 
to  company. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  as  Corporal.   Super,  non- 
commisioned  officer. 
Transferred  to  1st  Mo.    battery.    Wounded  while  with  it.     Discharged 
for  wounds  at  Van  Buren  Mo. 

Harris,  James  . 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Hatfield,  Isaac  B  

Galesburg  

Hauts,  George  B  
Hay  nes,  Garrett  J  

Edwardsville.  .. 
Young  America. 
Victoria.  ... 

Hays,  Festus  C 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  15  March,  '64. 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  21  Sept.,  '62  .  . 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
21  Dec.,  '63,  to 

Hicks,  Lauren  Myron  
Hitt,  Loren  

Victoria  
Galesburg  
Chicago  

Hoffman,  John  

Hood,  William  B  

Chesterfield  ... 
Galesburg  

25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.   ... 
4  Feb.,  '62,  to  22  Feb.,  '63  
15  Nov.,  '64,  to  14  Nov.,  '65  ... 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  26  Feb.,  '63.... 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .  .  . 
10  Dec.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

6  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
23  March,  '65,  to  10  Nov.,  '65.. 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ... 
23  March,  '65,  to  25  Sept.,  '65. 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  28  Dec.,  '62.  .  . 
23  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
20  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  9  Feb.,  '63  .... 
26  Dec.,  '62,  to  

Howe,  Charles 

Huston,  James  A  
Ingle,  John  

Palmyra  
Maquon  

Jacks,  George  S  
Jarvis,  George  H  

Johnson,  Frank  A  
Jones,  George  W  
Jones,  Joseph  E  
Jones,  Joseph,  1st  
Jones,  Joseph,  2nd  
Janes,  William  

Burns  
Granger,  O  

Granger,  O  
Bear  Creek  
Bear  Creek  
Henry  Co.,  111.. 
Bear  Creek  
Knoxville  

Jones,  William  J  
Ketchum,  Alasco  
Keys,  Asahel 

Bear  Creek  
Chicago  
Knoxville  

Knife,  Henry  
Knight,  Albert  P  ... 

Newcomb  

22  Dec.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  14  Oct.,  '65... 

18  Jan.,  '65,  to  
3  Oct.,  '64,  to  29  Apr.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  15  June,  '63... 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  ..  July,  '62... 
4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .      . 

Koehler,  Alexander  

Kreech,  William  E  
Laureaux,  David  
Laird,  David  

Lestnet,  Richard  J  
Lincoln,  John  T  
Lowe,  James  W  

Geneseo  

Newton  
Rutland  
Monmouth  

New  Lisbon,  O.. 
Belleville  
Granger,  O  
Cairo  
Victoria  
Galesburg  

10  Dec.,  '61,  to  15  Dec.,  '63.  ... 
23  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  1  Sept.,  '64  ... 
<>  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec     '65 

Marrion,  Thomas  N  
Martin,  Arthur  D  
Mathews,  Charles..  . 

Me  Clellan,  Thomas  
McCoy,  Lewis  R  
McGinnis,  Oliver  W 

Chicago  
Maquon  
Carlinville  
Cambridge  
Maquon  
INaperville  

5  Feb.,  '64,  to  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  14  Feb.,  '62.  .  .  . 
15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  31  Jan.,  '62... 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
10  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

11  March,  '62,  to  11  March,  '65. 
24  Nov.,  '63,  to  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  25  Nov.,  '62.  .. 
1  Feb.,  '65,  to  17  Sept.,  '65.... 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  15  March,  '64. 
24  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  15  Oct.,  '61  ... 
11  Feb.,  '64,  to  29  Aug.,  '65.... 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  3  Apr.,  '62  .... 
25  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
20  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
28  Jan.,  '64,  to  9  Nov.,  '65  
2  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
8  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  .  . 
28  Dec  ,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
19  Sept.,  '61,  to  4  April,  '62.  ... 
8  March,  '62,  to  26  May,  '62.  .  . 
29  March,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
22  Dec.,  '63,  to  

15  Sept.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ... 
15  Feb.,  '64,  to  29  Aug.,  '65.  ... 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  3  Dec.,  '62  .... 

McGrath,  George  W 

Me  Henry,  Daniel  
Miller,  Eleaser  H 

Miller,  Jacob.. 

Abingdon  

Galesburg  
Galesburg.   ... 
Abingdon    
Rio  

Miller,  Swan 

Miller,  William  
Mills,  Joseph  
Mitchell,  Alexander. 

Morgan,  Albert  W  
Mott,  Alvin  K  
Mott,  George  W. 

Galesburg  
Galesburg  
Galesburg  .... 

Munson,  Swan 

Galesburg  

Murphy,  William 

Roseville  . 

Nelson,  Benjamin  F  
Nelson,  Henry  

Alton  
Naperville  

Nelson,  William... 

Alton.  

Nevitt,  Wilson  J. 

Maquon 

Oliver,  John  A  

Chesterfield  ... 

Peebles,  Marquis  D.  I  

Detroit  

Peterson,  Peter  
Read,  Matthew  
Richardson,  Alvin     

Galesburg  
St.  Augustine.  .  . 
Young  America. 
Greene  co.,Ark. 
Hillsboro  . 

Rislev,  Milton  

Robinson,  Mahlow  J 

Rolf,  John  A  
Scott,  George  W    

Chicago  

Snyder,  Robert  M  

Henderson  
Berwick  

Smith,  Isaac  S  

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"H"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


169 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Smith,  Lafayette           .   .  . 

Ionia  . 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  31  May,  '63. 

Died  at  Milliken's  Bend,  La.,   from    wounds  received  at  Black   River 

Smith,  Samuel  W  
Smith.  William  A 

Maquon  
Scottville 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Nov.,  '64,  to  10  Nov.,  '65  . 

Miss.,  May  17,  '63. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65. 

Sovernes,  Truman  L  

Irving  

1  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Spencer,  Joseph  E  

Camden  Mills 

21  Oct.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran 

Steel,  Henry 

Galesburg 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  . 

M.  O.  at  expiration  term  of  service. 

Stubbs,  Benjamin  F  . 

5  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment 

Swanson,  Andrew  

Galesburg 

3  Feb.,  '62,  to  31  Aug.,  '62  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Helena,  Ark. 

Svvazze,  Benoini  H  
Taafe,  William    
Treadwell,  Charles  

Abingdon  
Chicago  
Galesburg  

7  Oct.,  '61,  to  29  March,  '63.  .  . 
21  Dec.,  '63,  to  
10  Oct.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '62  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Sick;  never  reported  to  company. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Vail,  Isaac  L  

Burns  

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Vanderwalker,  Edward  
Vanter,  John.. 

Galesburg  
Maquon  

15  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Vaughn,  Amon  C.  W  

Naperville  

20  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Walker,  John  . 

Poinsettco.  Ark 

8  March,  '62,  to  9  May,  '62.  .. 

Died  at  Pocahontas,  Ark. 

Wanzel,  William. 

Lancaster,  Pa.  .. 

19  Sept.,  '61,  to  2  Apr.,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Reeves'  Station,  Mo. 

Waters,  John 

Wataga  

25  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment 

White,  James  
Whitehead,  Thomas  L. 

Eastford  

25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
12  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Williams,  Josiah 

Litchfield 

26  Feb.,  '64.  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  122  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment 

Woolsey,  Isaac  
Wright,  Charles  D       .   . 

Maquon    
Hillsboro  

7  Oct.,  '61,  to  22  Jan.,  '62  
29  March,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Arcadia,  Mo. 
Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Wright,  George  W 

Scottville 

4  Nov.,  '64,  to 

Transferred  from  122  111.  July,  '65.    Sick'  never  reported  to  company 

Young,  Samuel  

4  Nov.,  '62,  to  3  Oct.,  '65  

Transferred  from  117  Illinois  July,  '65.    Discharged  at  expiration  term 

of  service. 

170 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  W.  H.  LAWTON. 
"I"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  T.  LYON. 
"I"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  CHARLES  T.  KENNEY. 
"I"  COMPANY. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  NATHANIEL  W.  REYNOLDS. 
"I"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


171 


"I"  COMPANY  SKETCH. 


Pike  county,  noted  in  story  for  its  brave  men,  hand 
some  women  and  "Bailey's  fat  cattle",  was  the  home 
of  the  body  of  men  that  met  in  Griggsville  on  August 
26th,  1861,  and  organized  into  what  afterwards  became 
Company  I  of  the  Thirty-third  Illinois  Infantry.  Wil 
liam  W.  H.  Lawton,  a  merchant  of  Griggsville;  Wil 
liam  T.  Lyon,  a  soldier  from  the  ranks  of  the  Eighth 
Illinois  Infantry— three  months'  service ;  E.  A.  F. 
Allen  and  Sampson  Purcell  were  mainly  instrumental 
in  bringing  about  the  enlistment  of  the  company,  and 
at  its  organization  Lawton  was  elected  Captain,  Lyon 
1st  Lieutenant,  Allen  2nd  Lieutenant,  and  Purcell  Or 
derly  Sergeant. 

At  this  time  they  had  no  particular  regiment  in  view. 
With  them  it  was  a  chance  to  get  into  the  service  to  do 
something  to  preserve  the  union.  They  were  young 
men  from  the  farm  and  work  shops,  thoroughly  imbued 
with  that  spirit  of  patriotism  that  placed  country  be 
fore  home;  for  without  country  the  home  would  be  val 
ueless.  No  liberal  bounty  tempted  these  men  to  enlist. 
Very  few  of  them  even  knew  how  much,  if  any 
amount,  would  be  paid  them  for  their  services.  Just 
the  chance  to  stand  up  for  "Uncle  Sam"  was  all  they 
asked.  How  well  they  stood  up  and  how  long,  the  regi 
mental  record  will  bear  testimony  to.  They  did  their 
duty  and  did  it  well.  Uncomplainingly  they  endured 
hardships;  unflinchingly  they  kept  their  place  in  line; 
and  on  Texas's  far-off  shore,  when  the  regiment  re-en 
listed,  Company  I  furnished  its  full  quota  of  veterans. 
They  "proposed  to  fight  it  out  on  that  line"  if  it  took 
every  man  to  do  it.  The  gallant  Lawton,  desperately 
wounded  at  Vicksburg,  was  compelled  to  leave  them, 
but  Lyon  staid  with  them  to  the  end.  It  was  only  a 
remnant  of  the  Company  that  organized  at  Griggsville 
on  that  August  day  in  1861  that  returned  with  him  in 
December,  1865.  The  awkward,  beardless  boy  of  the 
then  was  the  sturdy,  bearded  veteran  on  his  return. 
He  knew  he  had  done  his  full  duty,  and  trusted  that 
his  home  people  and  country  would  appreciate  it. 

Company  I  was  represented  in  the  many  little 
mounds  that  marked  the  regiment's  course  from  Mis 
souri  to  the  Mexican  line.  In  their  marches  and  coun 
ter-marches  through  Missouri  and  Arkansas,  the  jour- 
neyings  up  and  down  the  Mississippi  River,  through 
the  swamps  of  Louisiana  and  the  pine  barrens  of  Ala 
bama  and  Mississippi,  all  are  dotted  with  these  sad  re 
minders,  war's  milestones.  For  these  comrades  there 


was  no  home-coming;  but  their  memory  is  kept  green 
in  the  hearts  of  the  loyal  people  of  Pike  county,  and 
each  Memorial  Day  sees  a  simple  but  appropriate  trib 
ute  paid  to  the  honor  of  the  boys  that  went,  but  "did 
not  return" — to  those  that  gave  their  lives  that  this 
might  be  a  Union  in  fact  as  well  as  in  name.  Pike 
county  honors  the  living  as  well  as  the  dead,  and  is 
ever  proud  of  the  fact  that  she  gave  of  her  best  to  swell 
the  ranks  of  the  Thirty-third,  and  they  of  the  Thirty- 
third  are  always  grateful  for  "the  contingent"  who 
were  comrades  indeed.  On  their  arrival  at  Camp  But 
ler,  Illinois,  they,  through  the  influence  of  Dr.  George 
P.  Rex,  afterwards  Surgeon  of  the  Thirty-third  Illi 
nois,  became  a  part  of  that  regiment  and  became  known 
as  Company  I.  Surgeon  Rex  was  from  Pike  county 
and  always  took  a  great  interest  in  his  "Pike  County 
Contingent".  His  kindly  attention  to  them  in  their 
hour  of  need  saved  many  a  one  that  he  might  "do 
duty"  and  return  to  his  home.  The  kind-hearted  old 
gentleman  is  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  "the 
contingent",  and  also  by  the  friends  of  those  whom  his 
aid  could  not  save  to  them  and  country.  He  has  gone 
to  his  rest,  eternal.  He  was  a  good  and  true  man.  All 
honor  to  his  name. 

For  the  correctness  of  I  Company  roster  of  enlist 
ments  and  discharges  the  company  is  much  indebted  to 
Solomon  G.  Chanie  for  his  carefully  preserved  records 
of  the  company,  copies  of  which  have  been  freely  given 
to  the  compiler,  who  tried  faithfully  to  get  a  Company 
I  man  to  write  this  sketch,  but  failed. 

The  following  is  a  synopsis  of  I  Company  roster  of 
enlistments  and  discharges: 

Enrollment  at  organization,  77. 

Recruits  received,  48. 

Transfers  from  72nd,  117th  and  124th  Illinois  Infan 
try,  69. 

Total  enrollment  of  company,  194. 

Wounded  in  battle  or  by  accident,  5. 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds,  11. 

Died  from  disease,  16. 

Discharged  for  disability,  40. 

Discharged  from  expiration  of  service,  17. 

Transferred  to  other  branches  of  service,  5. 

Promotions  from  company  to  other  regiments,  1. 

Deserted,  2. 

Discharged  at  final  muster-out,  71. 

Unaccounted  for,  31. 


172 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


ROSTER  OF  <T'  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  3  September,  J86J.     Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  J8  August,  1 86 1.    Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF    SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 

Lawton,  William  W.  H  
Lyon,  William  T.          

Griggsville..   .. 
Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  June,  '63.  .  .  . 
8  June,  '63,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Wounded  at  Vicksburg.     Resigned.    Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  as  Captain. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Lyon,  William  T.            

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  8  June,  '63  

Promoted  to  Captain. 

Kenney.  Charles  T  
Reynolds,  Nathaniel  W  . 

Griggsville  
Perry  

8  June,  '63,  to  19  Aug.,  '64.  ... 
19  Aug.,  '64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Resigned  for  disability  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 

Allen,  Edward  A.  T  
Kenney,  Charles  T  

Griggsville  
Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  March,  '62.. 
18  March,  '62,  to  to  8  June,  '63. 

Resigned  for  disability. 
Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 

Reynolds,  Nathaniel  W     . 

Perry  

18  March,  '62,  to  19  Aug.,  '64.. 

Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 

Jenkins,  David  F  
SERGEANT. 
Purcell,  Sampson 

Griggsville  
Griggsville  

19  Aug.,  '65,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Feb.,  '62  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Reynolds,  Nathaniel  W 

Perrv  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  March,  '62.. 

Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  2nd  Lieutenant,  then  wounded  22  May,  '63. 

Chapman,  Samuel  C  

Pittsfield  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Apr.,  '62.  .  .  . 

Discharged  for  disability  caused  by  insanity. 

Hays,  Charles  B  . 

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    Discharged   by  expiration   term  of 

Hobbs,  John  M  
CORPORAL. 

Jackson,  Charles  W  
Nutter,  Graf  ton  S  

Ellege,  William 

Perry  

Griggsville  
Griggsville  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  July,  '63  .... 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Nov.,  '61  .  .. 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Sept.,  '63.  .  . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Dec.,  '61  

service  as  private. 
Died  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.    Wounded  22  May,  '63,  and  23  May,   '63. 
Discharged  for  promotion  to  Lieutenant  in  92  U.  S.  C.  I. 
Died  at  Griggsville,  111.,  while  on  furlough. 

Brower,  Charles      

Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Feb.,  '63.  .  .  . 

Promoted  Sergeant  3  Nov.,  '61.    Died  at  Middle  Brook,  Mo. 

Kelley,  Michael  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Sept.,  '62.  .. 

Promoted  Sergeant  18  March,  '62.     Killed  at  Bolivar's   Bend,  Miss. 

Gardner,  Frank  N  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  April,  '62.  .  . 

Returned  to  ranks.     Discharged  for  disability. 

Jones,  Thomas  H  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Sergeant  1st  Feb.,  '64.     Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 

Greenwood,  William  B  
MUSICIAN. 
Bodine,  John  M  

Springfield  
Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Nov.,  '62  ... 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Returned  to  ranks,  detailed  Company  Wagoner.    Discharged  for  disa 
bility. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 

Tedrow,  William  B 

New  Salem  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  7  Feb..  '63.  .  .  . 

Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 

WAGONER. 
Lawton,  John  P  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  April,  '63.  .  .  . 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

PRIVATE. 

Alcorn,  James  
Armstrong,  John  H. 

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Sept.,  '61.  .. 
7  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Died  at  Camp  Butler,  III. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 

Baldwin,  Arthur  C  

Perry...  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 

Brown,  George  W  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 

Promoted  Corporal  15  March,  '62.    Discharged  with   the   regiment  as 

Benson,  Alex.  H 

Griggsville. 

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

1st  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Bray,  John  S  
Baldwin,  Benjamin  F  
Bell,  John          .          . 

Bloomington.  .. 
Chicago  
Chicago  .. 

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  18  Aug.,  '62.... 
29  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  .  . 
4  Jan.,  '64,  to  

Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal. 
Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.     Never  joined  company. 

Beeman,  John  
Broderick,  James 

Chicago  

4  Dec.,  '63,  to  
10  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  ... 

Transferred  from  72  Illinois  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 

Byers,  George  M  
Brooks,  Thomas  

Springfield  

23  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 

Barnhart,  Gilbert  

Macomb  

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  29  Aug.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal.    Transferred  from  124  111.   July,   '65.    Discharged 

Blackman,  Benjamin 

18  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

for  disability. 
Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Blackman.  Tobias  ..  . 

18  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  reiriment. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

"/"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


173 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE  —  Continued. 
Brown,  Henry. 

11  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Chanie.  Solomon  G.  
Cook,  Albert 

New  Salem  
Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service 

Carroll,  Henry 

Pittsfield  . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged   with    the    regiment.      Promoted    Corporal    1   Feb  ,    '64 

Connor,  William  F 

Beardstown  

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Calender,  Isaac  
Chenowith,  Robert 

Bloom  ington.  .  . 
Perry  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  14  Sept.,  '62.  ... 
5  Sept.,  '61,  to  22  March,  '63 

Killed  in  action  at  Prentiss,  Miss.,  on  steamer  ''latan." 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Coe,  Robert  B  

Galesburg  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal.    Wounded  22  May,  '63.     Discharged  with  the  reg 

Coe,  David  P  

Galesburg  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  27  Jan.,  '63  

iment  as  Sergeant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  for  wounds  received  at  Cache  River,  Ark. 

Crane.  Ezra  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  15  Feb.,  '64  

7  July,  '62. 
Transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Clary,  Michael  

Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  15  March,  '62. 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Conrov,  Martin.. 

Perry  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Cook,  Adolph 

Perry  

12  Jan.,  '62,  to  1  Jan.,  '65 

Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Carlson,  Christian  
Capps,  Porter... 

Chicago  
Mascoutah  

11  Jan.,  '64,  to  26  Aug.,  '65.... 
4  Aug.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.     Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Crowder,  William  H 

24  Jan.,  '65,  to  10  Nov.,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability.    Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65. 

Cloud,  William  H.     ... 

21  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,   '65. 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Cline,  Job  

13  Oct.,  '62,  to  12  Oct.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  at  expiration   term  of 

Outfield,  William  H  
Dickenson,  Albert  J  

Griggsville  
Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '(,1,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  May,  '63.. 

service. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran.    Promoted  Corporal,  Sergt. 
Died  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Doane,  William  W.  H  
Durand,  Davis 

Fairmount  
Pittsfield 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Dec.,  '63.  ... 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  April   '62 

Transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Dunham,  William  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  wagoner.    Veteran. 

Davis,  Daniel  W  . 

Galesburg  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Aug.,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability.     Drummer. 

Dunham,  George  ... 

New  Salem  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  10  Oct.,  '63 

Died  at  Griggsville,  111.,  while  on  furlough. 

Dickinson,  George  F  
Davis,  Robert  

Griggsville  
Perry  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  25  Oct.,  '62  
5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Died  at  Griggsville,  111.,  while  on  furlough. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Dwire.  John  
Dalton,  James,  
Evans,  Stephen  

Elmore,  John  
Edwards,  John  R  

Springfield  
Chicago  
Griggsville  

Springfield  
Mascoutah  

2  Sept.,  '61,  to  30  May,  '63  .... 
6  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Died  from  wounds  received  22  May,  '63,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.     Returned  to   ranks.    Discharged   with 
the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.     Wounded  17  May,   '63.    M.   O.   by  expir 
ation  term  of  service. 
Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Ellison,  Charles  F  

3  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Ferber,  Edwin 

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  Sept  .  '65 

Wounded  2  March,  '65.    Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 

Foley,  James  M  

Macomb     

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Fullerton,  Hiram  

Planterville  

29  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Gardner,  Franklin  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  

Greenough,  John  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Promoted  Corporal  16  Nov.  '61,  Sergeant,  July,  '63.    M.  O.  by  expiration 

Green,  Henry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Sept.,  '62 

term  of  service. 
Killed  in  action  at  Bolivar's  Bend,  Miss.,  on  steamer  ;'latan." 

Gladwell,  Thomas  J. 

Griggsville  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  15  Aug.,  '63 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Green,  Edward  K  

Perry  

31  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Garland,  Alex.  V 

Chicago  .. 

15  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Gooding,  Lyman  

Honey  Creek   .  . 

4  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Godfrey,  Joseph  

25  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  ill.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Gilbert,  George  G 

Prairie  City  

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Gilbert,  James  R 

Hire 

15  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  Julv,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Griffin,  Joseph  T  

Macomb  

4  Jan.,  '(A,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Hill,  J.  Page  

Hill,  John  W  
Houchin,  James  

Griggsville  

Griggsville  
New  Michigan 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '62  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Oct.,  '62.... 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  June,  '63 

Discharged  for  disability  from  wounds  received  in  action  at  Prentiss, 
Miss.,  on  steamer  "latan." 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Hawker,  Davis  W  

Perry 

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  15  Feb.,  '64 

Promoted  Corporal.    Transferred  at  New   Orleans,   La.,   to  V.   R.  C. 

Hickey,  Harrison  H  
Hines,  John  M  

Chandlervilte.. 
Perry  

2  Sept.,  '61,  to  19  Jan.,  '62  ... 
5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  4  Sept.,  '64. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  to  Musician.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Hart,  John  

Chicago  . 

11  Jan.,  '64,  to  22  Aug.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Hawkins,  Robert  B  

Macomb     

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Herron,  Oscar  

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65,   on  detached  service.    Never  re 

Hooter,  William  L  

26  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  . 

ported  to  company. 
Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Ingram,  Fletcher  

Perry  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment  as  Corporal.    Veteran. 

Johnson,  William  S  

Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Cook  at  Headquarters.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Jenkins,  David  F  

Griggsville..   . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Aug.,  '65 

Promoted  Corporal  16  Nov.,  '61;  Sergeant;  1st  Sergt.  5  May,   '64;   2nd 

Jones,  Asher  E  

Griggsville  . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Lieutenant.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Job,  Simeon  E  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Nov.,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Jenkins,  Mark  

Springfield  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  Jan.,  '63 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Johnson,  Reuben  

Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Regiment  baker.    Veteran. 

Jenkins,  George  

9  May,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,   '65.    Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged 

with  the  regiment. 

174 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"7"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Jenkins,  David  
Kelly,  Martin 

Brooklyn  
Williamsville  .  . 

24  Feb.,  '64.  to  29  Aug.,  '65.  .  .  . 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  March,  '63 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,   '65.    Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged 
for  disability. 

Kenney,  Charles  T  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  March,'62 

Promoted  Corporal;  Sergeant  1  Feb    '62'  2nd  Lieutenant 

Kneeland,  Willard  
Killrov,  John                  .... 

Griggsville  

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  3  Oct.,  '64  
9  Aug.,  '62  to 

Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Kelor,  John  

31  Jan.,  63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Lee,  Jefferson  

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Wounded   2  March,  '65.    Discharged   with   the  regiment     Headquar 

Lytle,.John  W  

Griggsville  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  25  Feb.,  '62. 

ters  cook.    Veteran. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Lawler,  Michael  

Chicago  

1  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Lannon,  Patrick  H  

Chicago  

12  Jan.,  '64,  to  

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,   '65.     Deserted  at  Greenville   Miss    18 

Lovell,  John  N    

Hire         .       .   .. 

16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Oct.,  '65. 
Transferred  from  124  111  July   '65     Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Lovell,  Charles  W. 

19  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  III   July   '65      Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Marshal,  George  

Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    Discharged   by   expiration   term   of 

Mears,  Patrick  

Perrv  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  Aug.,  '64 

service. 
Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 

Martin,  Brvan. 

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Mexican  war  soldier.    Served  by  transfer  in  99  111      M    O    by   expira 

Maag,  Charles  W  
McNattin,  Michael  
Morgan,  William  S  
McGarrey,  James  
Morrison,  James  N  
Meats,  Isaac 

Springfield  
Griggsville  
Griggsville  
Oneida,  N.  Y.... 
Perry  
Perry. 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  May,  '63.... 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  28  Dec.,  '62  ... 
1  Nov.,  '61,  to-  12  May,  '62  
5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec  ,  '65 

tion  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Killed  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  as  Color  Guard. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  for  disability. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

McClenagan.  John     

New  Salem  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '64 

geant.    Veteran. 
Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Mull,  John 

Perry  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  17  Jan.,  '62. 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Moulton,  Jotham  T 

20  Sept.,  '61,  to  28  Aug     '65 

Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  for  disability 

Mayo,  James  H 

Beardstown  .... 

26  Feb.,  '64  to  6  Dec     '65 

Magee,  James  A 

Griggsville  

26  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Martin,  John  G  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '64 

M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Martin,  John  H.  . 

18  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Marriat,  Franklin  M  
Merritt,  Alfred  
Martin,  George  W  

Somers  
Chicago  
Macomb  

15  Dec.,  '63,  to  
13  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Never  joined  company. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment 

McDonald,  Finlev. 

16  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec  ,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  III   July   '65     Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Melton,  Frank  J  

24  Jan.,  '65,  to 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Absent  on  sick  furlough    at  M    O 

McGraw,  Calvin  M  

Macomb  

5  Nov.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

of  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Morton,  George  

4  Jan.,  '64,  to  o  Dec  ,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65      Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Murphey,  Luther  
Niswonger,  Ira  
Niswonger,  Eleazer  

Sciota  
Griggsville  
Griggsville  

8  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  25  Oct.,  '63 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Noyes,  Evans  H  

10  Oct.,  '62  to  29  Aug     '65 

O'Niel,  John  W  
Opits,  Edward  H  
Peterson,  Gustave  

Chicago  
Chicago*  
Galesburg  

14  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
12  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
3  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

for  disability. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Pittman,  Henry  C. 

Mt.  Sterling  

27  Oct.,  '63,  to  15  Oct.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  for  disability. 

Pugh,  Burgess. 

9  May,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Robbins,  George  

Carter  

27  April,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Robbins,  Augustus  W  
Reed,  George  W  
Rex,  George  McClellan 

Griggsville  
Griggsville  
Perry.  .  .  . 

22  April,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ... 
22  April,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Sept  ,  '62  to  15  Aug    '63 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Reynolds,  Norman  A  
Rusher,  James  H  
Rinck,  Gottfried  
Reynolds,  Walter 

Chambersburg  . 
Chambersburg. 
Lynnville  
Perry. 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Nov.,  '62  ... 
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 
5  Sept  ,  '61    to  23  June   '65 

Discharged  for  disability. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.     M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Terre  Bonne,  La.    Veteran. 

Robinson,  William  S. 

Perry. 

5  Sept    '61   to  6  Dec     '65 

Ryan.  Patrick  

Pilot  Knob,  Mo. 

20  Sept.,  '61,  to  '63. 

Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Bellevue,  Mo. 

Rumley,  Thomas  J  

Mascoutah  . 

5  Nov.,  '63,  to  25  Sept.,  '65 

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Rumley,  Harvey  A  .. 

Mascoutah  . 

3  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Stoth,  Samuel. 

Detroit  . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Wounded  at  Bolivar,  Miss.    Promoted  Corporal  1  Jan.,   '64,  Sergeant. 

Shannon,  Samuel  P  

Pike  Co  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  April,  '62.  .. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Slattin,  James. 

Perry. 

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  28  Dec.,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability. 

Stowe,  Ransom  P  

Perrv  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  9  June,  '65  

Discharged  for  disability  from  wounds  received  March   2,  '65,  in  R.  R. 

Sluce,  Samuel  . 

Griggsville. 

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '64 

accident.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Short,  Joseph  T  
Sage,  Elizur  .          

Perry  
Chanahon 

31  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
23  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Sanders,  Martin  L 

Chatham 

31  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  III.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Sanders,  John  F.. 

Chatham  . 

31  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Sanders,  Andrew  D  

Chatham  

23  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"7"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


175 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Smith,  John  

23  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Sweeney,  William  O 

Emmett  

4  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  III.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Smith,  William 

13  Feb.,  '65,  to  26  Oct.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  for  disability. 

Truit,  James  C      

Griggsville  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  24  May,  '63.  .  .  . 

Wounded  22  May,  '63.    Died  from  wounds  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Taylor,  George  .  . 

Chambersburg  . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  May,  '64  

Discharged  for  disability. 

Todd,  William 

Perry. 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Feb.,  '63  

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Teft,  Willis  

Scott  Co  

20  Sept.,  '61,  to  26  March,  '63. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo.    Mexican  War  veteran. 

Tull,  Jerome  

Perry  

1  Nov.,  '61,  to  12  Aug.,  '63  

Died  at  Perry,  111.,  from  sickness  caused  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Thompson,  Edward  H. 

Perry.        

31  March,  '64,  to  4  April,  '65  . 

Killed  in  action  at  Spanish  Fort.  Ala. 

Northfield 

23  Jan.,  '65,  to  

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.     Absent  on  sick  furlough  at  M.   O. 

Victory,  William  H  

3  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

of  regiment. 
Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Wilkinson,  Henry  A  
William,  Sylvester  L 

Chaiham  

30  Jan.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Oct.,  '62,  to  29  Aug.,  '65  

Transferred  from  124  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Transferred  from  124  111.   July,    '65.    Discharged 

Weddel,  Joseph  

21  Sept.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

for  disability. 
Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Watson,  William..,.. 

14  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65    ... 

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Wenzell,  Philip  

Webb,  Isaac  T  
Winslow  William  A  

Perry  

Grggsville  
Perry  

5  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64... 

Promoted  Corporal  16  Nov.,  '61  ;   Sergeant    1    Jan.,    '64.    Wounded    2 
March,  '65.    Di>charged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Wood,  Enos  W  

Chandlerville  .. 

2  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Transferred  from   K   Company.    Wounded  22  May,   '63.    Discharged 

Whitten,  Nathaniel  

New  Salem  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Feb.,  '63  

with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability. 

Whitten,  Joshua 

New  Salem  . 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  

Deserted. 

Wright,  James 

New  Salem 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    M.  O.  bv  expiration  term  of  service. 

Winters,  William  W  

Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  .  .  . 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Ward,  Newton  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  

Wilkins,  Oliver 

Perry. 

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Dec.,  '61 

Died  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Wells,  Anderson  

Perry  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

176 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


CAPTAIN  EDWARD  H.  TWINING. 
"K"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  FRANKLIN  ADAMS. 
"K"  COMPANY. 


CAPTAIN  EDWIN  L.  HIGGIINS. 
"K"  COMPANY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


177 


FIRST    LIEUTENANT  JOSEPH    H.  SHEELER. 
"K"  COMPANY. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  FRANK  FORD. 
"K"  COMPANY. 


SKETCH  OF  "K"  COMPANY. 
BY  L.  H.  PROSSER. 


PREFACE. 


It  is  not  of  my  own  seeking  that  I  have  been  called 
to  write  a  sketch  of  Company  K,  33rd  Illinois  Infantry, 
but  against  an  earnest  protest  on  my  part.  It  was 
generally  supposed  by  the  survivors  of  Company  K  that 
comrade  William  Murray,  who  served  in  the  company 
for  three  years,  would  prepare  a  sketch  of  the  company, 
and  in  fact  he  had  prepared  considerable  material  for 
the  work,  when  his  untimely  death  in  June,  1901,  pre 
vented  the  completion  of  the  task.  Comrade  V.  G. 
Way,  the  Secretary  of  the  Veteran  Association  of  the 
33rd  Illinois,  then  began  an  extensive  correspondence 
with  former  members  of  the  company  with  the  view  to 
finding  some  one  who  would  take  up  and  complete  the 
work,  in  which  effort  he  solicited  my  aid  ;  and  I  wrote 
several  letters  to  former  officers  and  members  of  the 
company  urging  them  to  write  a  sketch  of  K;  but  no 
one  seemed  inclined  to  take  hold  of  the  matter.  So,  at 
the  urgent  solicitation  of  Comrade  Way  I  have — reluc 
tantly — consented  to  prepare  a  brief  sketch  of  the  com 


pany.  I  would  much  have  preferred  that  some  one 
who  served  for  three  or  more  years  in  the  company 
should  have  undertaken  the  work.  It  is  true  I  have  al 
ways  felt  a  great  interest  in  Company  K,  and  the  en 
tire  33rd  Illinois.  I  kept  a  diary  throughout  the  war, 
and  hence  the  dates  herein  given,  in  so  far  as  relate  to 
narrative,  can  be  relied  on.  I  desire  to  acknowledge 
my  special  obligations  to  Comrade  Murray,  deceased, 
for  the  material  that  he  prepared  and  which  has  been 
placed  in  my  hands.  Also  to  Comrade  V.  G.  Way,  who 
has  shown  great  zeal  and  energy  in  collecting  data  for 
this  sketch,  and  to  Captains  Twining  and  Higgins, 
Lieutenant  Sheeler,  First  Sergeant  Samuel  Kyle,  Com 
rades  Brice  Suffleld,  George  S.  Kuhl,  Wr.  S.  Huffaker 
and  others  of  Company  K.  Also  to  Julius  P.  Lippin- 
cott,  brother  of  Colonel  Lippincott.  With  the  kindest 
feelings  for  every  member  of  Company  K  and  the  en 
tire  regiment,  I  send  this  forth  as  a  greeting  to  my 
old  comrades. 


178 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


"K"  COMPANY. 


In  the  month  of  July,  1861,  the  writer  of  this  sketch 
received  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  Newton  Bateman,  Su 
perintendent  of  Public  Schools  of  Illinois,  saying  there 
was  a  movement  on  foot  to  organize  a  regiment  of 
teachers  and  students  to  be  known  as  the  "Normal 
Regiment"  ;  and  that  his  old  personal  friend,  Dr. 
Charles  E.  Lippincott  of  Chandlerville,  Cass  county, 
would  organize  a  company-  and  adding,  "If  you  are 
going  into  the  army,  bring  your  friends  and  go  into 
Dr.  Lippincott's  company."  At  this  time  Dr.  Lip 
pincott  was  well  and  favorably  known  in  Cass  county. 
In  grateful  remembrance  of  the  active  co-operation  of 
Mr.  Bateman,  at  the  suggestion  of  Captain  Lippincott, 
upon  the  organization  of  the  company  it  was  named 
"The  Bateman  Rifles".  And  Newton  Bateman 's  name 
will  always  be  associated  with  the  organization  of  Com 
pany  K,  33rd  Illinois  Infantry. 

On  Monday,  August  19th,  18(51,  Charles  E.  Lippin 
cott,  with  some  forty-five  men,  met  for  the  first  time  in 
Springfield,  TIL,  and  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day  inarched  out  to  Camp  Butler.  This  was  the  nu 
cleus  of  Company  K,  33rd  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was 
the  first  company  of  the  regiment  to  arrive  in  camp 
(Company  A  arriving  the  next  day).  Aug.  26th,  1861, 
under  the  direction  of  C.  E.  Lippincott,  the  company 
held  an  election  for  commissioned  and  non-commis 
sioned  officers,  and  the  choice  of  the  men  was  strictly 
carried  out  in  all  the  appointments,  as  follows : 

Captain,  C.  E.  Lippincott  of  Chandlerville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Win.  A.  Nixon  of  Springfield. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Weaver  of  Beardstown. 

First  Sergeant,  E.  L.  Higgins  of  Springfield. 

Sergeants— W.  H.  Edgar  of  Jacksonville,  Finis  E. 
Stevenson  of  Petersburg,  H.  P.  Grund  of  Beardstown 
and  Joseph  H.  Sheeler  of  Petersburg. 

Corporals— John  N.  Kendall  of  Virginia,  H.  F. 
Kelchner  of  Omega,  R.  B.  Fulks  of  Beardstown,  E.  F. 
Cole  of  Fairview,  la.,  Ibri  Cannon  of  Macomb,  Joseph 
D.  Turner  of  Lancaster,  W.  H.  Potter  of  Petersburg 
and  Henry  Lightfoot  of  Jacksonville. 

Musicians — Daniel  /.  Robinson  of  Virginia  and  John 
J.  Robertson  of  Jacksonville. 

September  2nd,  1861,  the  company  was  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service  for  three  years  unless  sooner 
discharged,  by  Captain  T.  G.  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A.  The 
company  was  now  filled  to  the  maximum.  On  the  19th 
of  September,  1861,  with  the  regiment,  the  company 
left  Camp  Butler  for  Iron  ton,  Mo.,  via  St.  Louis,  arriv 
ing  on  the  20th,  by  an  all  rail  route,  and  the  next  day 
went  into  camp  at  Ironton.  Sept.  22nd  Companies  B, 
E  and  K  were  ordered  back  north  on  the  Iron  Moun 
tain  railroad  to  guard  bridges.  Company  K  encamped 
at  Lawson's  Station,  36  miles  north  of  Pilot  Knob. 
Company  K  had  5  bridges  to  guard ;  the  extremes  were 
two  miles  apart;  four  of  the  bridges  were  over  a  little 


stream  called  Mill  Creek  and  the  other  one  over  a 
branch  of  the  former. 

Captain  Lippincott  was  chief  in  command  of  our  sta 
tion,  and  E.  H.  Twining  was  installed  drill  master; 
and  the  company  took  its  initial  lessons  in  the  various 
evolutions  pertaining  to  a  company.  The  time  at 
Lawson's  Station  passed  pleasantly.  Captain  Lippin 
cott  had  a  vast  fund  of  stories  at  his  command,  and  as 
a  conversationalist  he  was  the  peer  of  any  one.  He 
would  embellish  the  most  commonplace  incidents  of 
life  in  such  a  way  as  to  hold  the  rapt  attention  of  his 
auditors,  and  when  he  essayed  to  speak  no  one  ques 
tioned  his  right  to  the  "floor".  Will  Weaver  was  the 
prince  of  good  fellows.  His  good  humor  was  conta 
gious  and  he  was  at  the  head  of  every  frolic. 

First  Sergeant  E.  L.  Higgins  seemed  to  be  the  busiest 
man  of  the  company.  As  Sergeant,  Lieutenant  and 
Captain  he  always  had  a  large  place  in  the  affections  of 
the  boys.  He  was  with  the  company  from  start  to  fin 
ish,  and  no  duty  was  ever  too  hard  or  hazardous  for 
him  to  undertake  without  a  murmur.  Jack  Robertson, 
the  inimitable,  whose  wit  was  the  life  of  the  camp. 
Every  one  will  remember  Kendall,  K  Company's  Mex 
ican  war  veteran,  whose  wonderful  stories  of  army  life 
in  the  Aztec  country  were  inexhaustible;  and  this  pro 
pensity  grew  upon  him  as  the  war  progressed.  But  to 
enumerate  all  of  the  good  fellows  of  K  at  that  time 
would  be  to  call  the  roll. 

The  boys  at  that  time  had  not  acquired  that  prompt 
obedience  to  orders  that  is  supposed  to  characterize  the 
seasoned  veterans,  and  the  Captain  was  no  doubt  often 
sorely  tried  in  the  "seasoning  process". 

There  was  a  large  wooden  structure  built  for  the  rail 
road  company,  containing  a  water  tank,  which  served 
as  guard  house.  At  this  time  orders  were  very  strin 
gent  against  foraging — the  rebellion  was  to  be  put  down 
by  the  law  of  kindness  and  brotherly  love;  and  nearly 
every  citizen  of  the  country  claimed  to  be  loyal  to  the 
stars  and  stripes— at  least  while  the  Union  army  was  in 
possession  of  the  place.  On  one  occasion  Joe  Stephen- 
son,  who  was  on  duty  at  one  of  the  bridges,  had  bought 
of  one  of  the  "loyal  citizens"  in  the  neighborhood 
some  provisions,  so  as  to  give  a  little  variety  to  the 
menu  furnished  by  Uncle  Sam.  He  set  it  down  near 
the  rendezvous  of  the  guard,  and  was  felicitating  him 
self  on  the  prospect  of  a  fine  dinner,  when  an  old  sow 
of  the  "hazel  splitter  type"  came  along  and  deliberately 
ate  up  the  whole  of  the  dinner.  When  Joe  discovered 
the  loss  of  his  dinner  he  "went  for  that  sow"  and  never 
let  up  till  his  revolver  was  empty.  When  the  owner 
discovered  his  loss  he  came  into  camp  and  demanded 
reparation.  The  crime  (?)  was  soon  traced  to  Joe,  and 
he  was  promptly  landed  in  the  guard  house.  But  the 
sympathy  of  the  boys  went  out  to  Joe  in  his  lonely  cell 
and  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  sort  of  martyr.  For  minor 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


179 


offences  the  derelict  was  required  to  get  from  one-half 
a  cord  to  a  cord  of  wood  for  the  company  cook,  and  the 
cooks  were  generally  well  supplied  with  fuel. 

The  company  remained  at  this  point  on  detached 
duty  until  Oct.  15,  1861.  The  day  was  an  ideal  one. 
Company  K  was  at  breakfast,  discussing  the  bill  of  fare 
furnished  by  the  government  through  Uncle  Sim 
Wright,  our  Quartermaster,  when  one  of  Company  E 
boys,  stationed  at  the  bridge  immediately  north  of  K, 
came  running  in  with  the  information  that  he  heard 
firing  up  the  road  and  Company  E  was  probably  at 
tacked.  Captain  Lippincott  at  once  called  for  fifty  vol 
unteers  to  go  to  the  rescue  of  Company  E.  The  men 
fell  in  with  alacrity  and  were  soon  on  the  way,  follow 
ing  the  I.  M.  R.  R.  north,  leaving  Lieutenant  Weaver 
in  charge  of  the  camp.  The  railroad  track  near  Big 
river  at  Blackwell  Station  runs  along  the  base  of  a  hill, 
and  below  to  the  right,  as  Company  K  approached, 
there  was  a  cornfield  enclosed  by  a  rail  fence.  At  this 
point  the  company  was  suddenly  fired  into  by  a  large 
body  of  rebels  who  were  concealed  by  trees  and  build 
ings.  Thrown  into  momentary  confusion  by  the  sud 
den  attack,  the  men  took  advantage  of  whatever  pro 
tection  was  at  hand,  such  as  rocks,  telegraph  poles  and 
fences,  and  promptly  returned  the  fire.  On  the  one 
side  was  Jeff  Thompson,  with  some  five  hundred  men, 
and  on  the  other  Captain  Lippincott  with  50  "raw 
recruits".  Seeing  they  were  about  to  be  surrounded, 
and  must  inevitably  be  captured  or  killed,  the  men 
were  ordered  to  fall  back ;  and  fighting  their  way  out, 
retired  from  the  field,  and  by  a  circuitous  route  reached 
the  old  camp,  when  several  more  of  the  boys  came  in, 
and  the  result  of  the  engagement,  as  to  K,  was  learned 
to  be  as  follows:  Killed,  none;  wounded  and  captured, 
O.  H.  Brewster  and  W.  H.  Kilgore,  the  latter  wounded 
three  times;  wounded  but  not  captured,  Thos.  Craw 
ford,  John  Phelps  and  a  few  others,  slightly ;  captured, 
Lieutenant  Nixon,  First  Sergeant  Higgins  and  some 
six  privates.  The  captured  were  at  once  paroled,  and 
on  Feb.  6th,  1862,  were  duly  exchanged  and  rejoined 
the  company,  save  those  who  had  been  discharged  on 
account  of  wounds  received.  The  enemy  lost  16  killed 
and  a  number  wounded. 

After  removing  the  camp  equipage  to  the  railroad  sta 
tion,  Captain  Lippincott  marched  the  company  to  Min 
eral  Point,  some  6  miles  south,  where  Lieutenant 
Weaver  had  gone  with  the  remainder  of  the  company. 
In  the  evening,  after  going  back  and  getting  all  of  the 
camp  fixtures,  the  company  went  by  rail  to  Pilot 
Knob,  and  the  next  day  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Ar 
cadia. 

Company  K  was  with  the  regiment  at  the  battle  of 
Fredericktown,  Mo.,  Oct.  21,  1861  (see  history  of  regi 
ment),  and  after  the  battle  returned  to  Arcadia,  Mo., 
and  spent  the  winter  there.  Arcadia  is  a  beautiful  vil 
lage  some  two  miles  from  Pilot  Knob.  There  were 
many  vacant  houses  in  the  place,  and  the  troops  occu 
pied  them  as  winter  quarters;  and  as  the  army  was  in 
daily  communication  with  St.  Louis  and  got  full  sup 


plies  of  everything,  the  time  passed  pleasantly  by.  In 
the  latter  part  of  the  winter  the  Austrian  muskets  were 
exchanged  for  the  Dresdens,  and  enough  Springfield 
rifles  were  secured  for  one  company  only.  As  Compan 
ies  A  and  K  were  on  the  flanks,  it  was  decided  that  the 
two  companies  should  shoot  a  match  for  the  Springfield 
rifles.  Accordingly  twenty  men  were  selected  from 
each  company,  and  after  much  preliminary  practice,  on 
the  17th  of  Feb.  1862,  the  whole  regiment  came  out  to 
witness  the  contest,  which  was  very  spirited.  The  de 
tail  from  Company  K  carried  oft'  the  honors  amidst  the 
plaudits  of  their  comrades  and  their  admirers. 

.On  the  first  of  March,  1862,  Company  K,  with  the 
regiment,  marched  south,  having  90  men  in  line.  The 
command  arrived  at  Reeves'  Ferry  on  Black  river,  Mo., 
on  March  10th,  1862,  crossed  over  the  river  and  went 
into  camp.  Here  several  changes  occurred  in  the  offi 
cers  of  the  company.  Captain  Lippincott  was  promoted 
to  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  regiment,  vice  Lockwood, 
resigned;  Lieutenant  Nixon  was  promoted  to  Captain, 
and  Frank  Adams,  private,  to  First  Lieutenant.  At 
the  appointment  of  the  latter  there  was  some  feeling  of 
disapproval  at  the  time,  mainly  on  account  of  his  ad 
vancement  over  the  Orderly  Sergeant ;  but  Lieutenant 
Adams  soon  won  the  good  will  and  held  the  confidence 
of  the  boys  so  long  as  he  was  associated  with  the  com 
pany.  On  March  18,  1862,  Lieutenant  Weaver  having 
resigned,  Col.  Hovey  came  over  to  the  quarters  of  Com 
pany  K  and  told  the  men  they  could  vote  by  ballot  for 
Second  Lieutenant,  which  gave  great  satisfaction  to  the 
men.  The  vote  was  largely  in  favor  of  E.  L.  Higgins, 
and  he  was  duly  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant. 

Every  old  soldier  will  recall  with  what  avidity  cer 
tain  parasites  used  to  infect  the  boys,  and  to  many  it 
was  the  source  of  bitter  anguish.  While  here,  Captain 
Lippincott  relates  this  incident:  Company  K  had  an 
Irishman  in  it— we  will  call  him  "Pat",  because  that 
was  not  his  name.  As  the  Captain  was  walking  out  in 
the  woods  one  day  he  saw  Pat  sitting  on  the  sunny  side 
of  a  large  tree,  with  his  shirt  pulled  oft',  and  very  in 
tently  prosecuting  what  seemed  to  be  a  diligent  search. 
"Hello",  said  the  Captain,  "picking  them  off,  are  you, 
Pat?"  Without  so  much  as  raising  his  eyes  or  ceasing 
his  work  in  the  least,  Pat  replied,  "No,  I'm  just  dividing 
them  into  reliefs,  so  they  won't  all  attack  me  at  once." 
Company  K  had  a  member  who  had  been  a  somewhat 
noted  musician,  and  when  he  found  these  little  insects 
in  every  nook  and  corner  of  his  nether  garments  he 
said,  "Oh,  Captain,  I  can't  stand  this;  they  will  kill 
me."  And  in  two  months  he  was  "discharged  for  dis 
ability". 

The  company  remained  at  Reeves'  Ferry  until  April 
19th,  1862,  when  it  marched  out  with  the  regiment, 
crossing  Current  river  and  the  Arkansas  line  on  the 
24th  of  the  month.  On  the  30th  went  into  camp  at 
Pocahontas  and  remained  there  a  few  days,  and  then 
with  the  regiment  pushed  on  south,  reaching  Jackson- 
port,  at  the  confluence  of  Black  and  White  rivers,  on 
May  10th,  1862.  Jacksonport  was  a  veritable  "Secesh 


180 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


hole".  Soon  after  reaching  this  place  an  old  planter 
with  a  broad  brimmed  hat  on  rode  into  the  camp  with 
a  long  rope,  and  said  he  came  in  after  his  boys.  He 
soon  espied  a  negro  that  he  said  belonged  to  him,  and 
forthwith  caught  him,  tied  his  hands  behind  his  back 
with  a  rope,  and  fastening  the  other  end  of  the  rope  to 
the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  started  to  prosecute  his 
search  for  his  other  boys.  He  soon  found  another  one, 
and  was  in  the  act  of  tying  him,  when  one  of  the  boys 
who  had  advanced  ideas  on  the  slavery  question  pro 
tested  against  this  outrage  on  humanity.  Whereupon 
the  slave  hunter  broke  out  into  a  violent  tirade  against 
the  minions  of  Lincoln,  saying,  "they  were  nothing 
but  a  pack  of  -  —  negro  thieves".  At  this  some 

of  the  boys  snatched  the  rope  from  him,  liberated  the 
negro,  and  told  the  slave  catcher  to  get  out  of  camp  at 
once,  or  he  would  get  the  full  benefit  of  the  rope 
around  his  neck,  and  the  would-be  negro  catcher  at  once 
"withdrew  from  the  field". 

The  company  remained  at  Jacksonport  until  the  16th, 
when  it  moved  up  White  river  with  the  regiment,  and 
the  next  day  camped  within  four  miles  of  Batesville, 
where  it  remained  until  the  25th  of  May,  when  it 
moved  up  and  went  into  quarters  hard  by  the  village 
of  Batesville.  Remained  in  camp  here  until  the  22nd 
of  June,  18(52,  when,  with  the  regiment,  it  started  down 
the  river  via  Jacksonport,  hoping  to  meet  the  boats  that 
were  supposed  to  be  coming  up  White  river.  June  27th, 
1862,  there  was  a  forage  train  sent  out,  and  Company 
K,  under  Lieutenant  Higgins,  was  detailed  as  an  es 
cort.  The  teams  went  down  some  eight  miles,  captured 
twenty  rebels,  filled  the  wagons  with  corn  and  other 
forage,  and  started  on  the  return  trip.  When  they  had 
gone  something  like  a  mile  and  a  half  they  were  sud 
denly  fired  into  from  ambush.  During  the  firing  a 
Lieutenant  of  Company  K,  3rd  Iowa  Cav.,  who  was  by 
the  side  of  Lieutenant  Higgins,  was  shot  and  killed,  as 
were  also  two  other  men  of  the  same  company.  Lieu 
tenant  Higgins  at  once  formed  the  company  and  re 
pulsed  the  attack,  but  lost  some  of  the  prisoners,  some 
of  whom  had  been  wounded  in  the  fusilade.  The 
teams  were  somewhat  demoralized,  and  it  took  some 
time  to  patch  up  the  train,  but  late  in  the  evening  the 
train  got  into  camp  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  mule  or 
wagon.  The  route  was  down  White  river,  and  numer 
ous  bayous  and  swamps  were  met  with  on  every  hand  ; 
and  the  enemy  had  blockaded  the  roads  by  felling  trees 
in  them  all  along  the  line  of  march 

On  the  7th  of  July,  1862,  a  large  fatigue  party  was 
sent  out  to  open  the  roads,  and  several  detachments  of 
different  regiments  were  sent,  among  the  number  four 
companies  of  the  33rd  Illinois,  including  Company  K. 
After  going  some  five  miles  they  were  suddenly  con 
fronted  by  several  regiments  of  Texan  Rangers,  and  the 
battle  of  Cache  Creek,  or  Cotton  Plant,  was  on  (for  an 
account  of  which  see  general  history  of  the  regiment). 

July  llth,  1862,  Company  K,  with  the  regiment, 
marched  out  from  Clarendon,  having  as  their  objective 
Helena,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  distant  65  miles.  The 


troops  marched  on  one  road  and  the  trains,  with  a 
large  escort,  on  another  road.  This  was  a  hard  march  ; 
the  actual  marching  time  was  34  hours,  and  when  the 
head  of  the  column  reached  Helena,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Father  of  Waters,  the  larger  part  of  the  army  was 
straggling  on  in  the  rear,  many  having  become  utterly 
exhausted.  Company  K  had  only  13  men  in  ranks 
when  it  reached  the  town,  many  of  the  boys  having 
scarcely  tasted  food  on  the  march  from  Clarendon. 
Here  the  company  rested  until  the  26th  of  July,  and 
then  went  by  boat  down  the  river  to  Old  Town  Land 
ing.  The  camp  was  a  low,  swampy  place,  reeking  with 
miasma,  and  death  lurked  on  every  hand.  Here  Com 
pany  K  lost  the  noble  Hendricks  and  Hart;  and  with 
muffled  drums  and  reversed  arms  the  company  followed 
their  remains  to  their  lowly  resting  place.  Hendricks 
died  Aug.  9th.  This  was  the  first  death  since  leaving 
Camp  Butler.  John  Hart  passed  away  on  the  26th  of 
Aug.  The  latter  went  into  the  hospital  in  the  morning 
and  at  7  p.  m.  the  vital  spark  had  fled.  While  their 
graves  are  unmarked  and  unknown,  so  that  no  loving 
hands  can  strew  flowers  o'er  their  resting  place,  they 
are  not  forgotten.  Before  the  close  of  the  war  the 
mighty  river  claimed  their  resting  place  as  part  of  its 
channel.  Nearly  all  of  the  company  were  sick  during 
the  stay  here  of  over  two  months,  and  many  were  sent 
home  on  sick  furlough. 

In  the  month  of  July,  1862,  Captain  Nixon  resigned 
and  E.  H.  Twining  was  promoted  from  private  to  Cap 
tain.  Captain  Nixon  was  the  quiet,  unostentatious 
officer,  whose  sympathies  always  went  out  to  the  boys, 
and  he  was  nearly  universally  loved  and  respected  by 
the  company.  Captain  Twining  was  always  scrupu 
lously  neat  and  punctual  in  every  detail,  and  apparent 
ly  did  everything  by  rule.  He  was  well  versed  in  mil 
itary  tactics  and  had  few,  if  any,  superiors  as  a  com 
pany  drill  master;  and  was  always  ready  to  take  his 
full  share  of  duty  uncomplainingly.  Captain  Lippin- 
cott  used  to  tell  this  story :  At  Camp  Butler  Captain 
Lippincott  received  a  letter  tendering  Twining  a  good 
position  in  an  Eastern  college.  He  took  the  letter  to 
Twining  and  told  him  if  he  wanted  to  accept  the  posi 
tion  he  would  secure  his  discharge  from  the  company. 
Twining  replied,  "I  enlisted  to  help  put  down  the  re 
bellion  and  shall  go  south  with  the  company." 

On  the  5th  of  October,  1862,  Company  K,  with  the 
regiment,  embarked  on  boat  for  the  north,  and  on  the 
llth  landed  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Mo.,  and  took  the  cars 
for  Pilot  Knob,  and  went  into  camp  at  the  old  camp 
ground  in  Arcadia.  The  furloughed  boys  gradually  re 
turned,  and  in  November,  with  the  regiment,  Company 
K  marched  south  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  the 
winter  in  the  fruitless  campaign  under  Gen.  Davidson. 
To  the  average  soldier  it  was  noted  chiefly  for  the  vast 
number  of  men  put  on  guard  nightly.  In  fact,  it  was 
said  at  the  time  that  the  General  in  command  asked 
the  war  department  for  more  troops  to  guard  the  camp. 
It  was  a  hard  campaign.  Much  of  the  time  the  weather 
was  quite  cold,  and  the  men  suffered  greatly.  About 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


181 


the  20th  of  February,  1803,  the  company  again  reached 
Pilot  Knob,  and  went  into  camp  at  Middle  Brook,  on 
the  Iron  Mountain  railroad,  three  miles  north  of  Pilot 
Knob,  where  it  remained  with  the  regiment  until 
March  10th,  1863,  then  marched  with  the  regiment  to 
St.  Genevieve,  on  the  Mississippi  river. 

On  March  16th,  with  the  regiment,  the  company  em 
barked  on  the  steamer  "Illinois",  bound  for  Vicksburg, 
where  Gen.  Grant  was  already  marshaling  his  hosts  to 
conquer  that  hitherto  impregnable  fortress,  open  the 
Mississippi,  and  cut  the  Confederacy  in  twain.  Ar 
rived  at  Milliken's  Bend,  some  20  miles  above  and  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river  from  Vicksburg,  on  the 
26th  of  March.  (See  history  of  the  regiment  for  the 
seeming  attempt  to  dig  a  canal  across  the  peninsula  and 
its  abandonment,  and  how  the  troops  floundered  in  the 
water  for  several  days  and  finally  marched  across  the 
peninsula  on  the  27th  of  April,  boarded  the  steamer 
"Forest  City",  ran  down  to  "Hard  Times  Landing", 
witnessed  the  bombardment  of  Grand  Gulf  for  five 
hours,  marched  across  the  peninsula  to  a  point  below 
Grand  Gulf,  re-embarked  and  dropped  down  the  river 
to  Bruinsburg,  a  few  miles  below  Grand  Gulf,  on  the 
Mississippi  side  of  the  river.)  In  all  these  movements 
Company  K  did  its  full  share  of  whatever  duty  came 
to  it. 

The  army  was  now  on  Mississippi  soil,  and  the  cam 
paign  for  the  reduction  of  Vicksburg  had  fairly  com 
menced.  Landing  at  1  o'clock,  p.  m.,  April  30th,  our 
division  at  once  moved  forward  on  the  Port  Gibson 
road.  Company  K  was  detailed  for  skirmish  duty  and 
had  the  honor  of  leading  the  advance.  While  on  this 
skirmish  line  W.  S.  Huffaker  and  Harry  Randall,  of 
Company  K,  got  ahead  of  the  general  alignment  and 
soon  found  themselves  the  target  for  a  volley  from  the 
enemy,  who  were  in  force  in  their  immediate  front.  A 
rail  fence  was  about  the  only  protection  our  boys  had, 
but  they  instantly  dropped  to  the  ground  and  so  flat 
tened  out  that  the  enemy's  bullets  passed  harmlessly 
over  their  heads.  As  one  of  our  regiments  was  rapidly 
coming  up  in  the  rear,  the  boys  were  literally  between 
two  fires.  When  the  firing  temporarily  ceased,  the  boys 
made  their  way  back  to  the  company.  The  march  was 
kept  up  until  two  o'clock  in  the  night,  when  the  ene 
my's  pickets  were  met.  Here  the  Union  forces  lay  on 
their  arms  until  daylight,  when  they  again  pushed  on 
and  soon  brought  on  a  general  engagement,  which  re 
sulted  in  a  complete  victory  for  the  Union  cause.  Af 
ter  the  battle  our  division  was  marched  back  half  a 
mile  and  got  a  hasty  supper,  then  went  to  the  front  and 
remained  in  line  of  battle  all  night. 

On  May  16th  the  battle  of  Champion's  Hill  was 
fought.  Our  division  was  in  reserve  and  not  brought 
into  the  action  until  in  the  afternoon,  when  we  were 
rapidly  pushed  to  the  front  and  were  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight,  capturing  many  prisoners.  It  was  a  hard 
fought  battle.  The  enemy  retreated  towards  Vicksburg. 
Early  in  the  morning  of  the  17th  Company  K,  with 
the  regiment,  was  in  motion,  and  at  7  a.  in.  engaged 


the  enemy  at  Black  River  Bridge,  where  he  was  found 
entrenched.  (See  history  of  regiment  for  an  account  of 
this  engagement. ) 

On  the  18th,  with  the  regiment,  moved  forward  to 
wards  Vicksburg,  and  at  nightfall  the  13th  Corps  biv 
ouacked  in  line,  some  7  miles  from  the  main  city.  There 
was  very  little  sleep  to  be  had  that  night  and  the  supper 
was  meager  indeed.  The  next  day,  May  19th,  the  in 
vestment  of  Vicksburg  was  completed.  A  volume 
might  be  written  concerning  the  incidents  of  this  siege, 
but,  as  Company  K  was  an  integral  part  of  the  33rd  Il 
linois,  and  simply  took  its  full  share  of  duty  and  what 
ever  of  hazard  came  to  it,  of  whatever  of  valor  and 
glory  attached  to  the  33rd  Illinois,  Company  K  claims 
its  full  share.  Always  eager  to  take  the  advance,  and 
ready  for  any  emergency  that  arose,  there  was  no  duty 
which  the  company  was  not  ready  to  undertake,  and  if 
success  were  possible  it  was  accomplished. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  1863,  while  in  the  rifle  pits, 
Lieutenant  Higgins  was  shot,  the  ball  entering  just 
in  front  of  the  left  ear  and  coming  out  under  the  right 
eye.  It  was  a  severe  wound,  and  when  Dr.  Rex  sug 
gested  that  the  chances  were  much  against  his  recovery, 
Lieutenant  Higgins  replied,  "You  don't  think  a  little 
wound  like  that  is  going  to  kill  a  fellow,  do  you?"  and 
the  doctor  replied,  "I  don't  call  that  a  little  wound." 
Lieutenant  H.  replied,  "Oh,  I  shall  get  well,  and  ex 
pect  to  live  to  be  Captain  of  Company  K" — a  prophecy 
which  was  fulfilled.  Nothing  but  the  heroic  determi 
nation  to  live  enabled  him  to  return  to  the  company  for 
duty.  But  he  has  ever  since  carried  the  wound  in  his 
face,  and  ever  and  anon  it  becomes  a  running  sore,  giv 
ing  him  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  and  militating  much 
against  a  business  career  in  civil  life. 

Vicksburg  having  surrendered  on  the  4th  of  July, 
1863,  the  next  day  Co.  K,  with  the  regiment,  started 
to  Jackson,  where  Joe  Johnston  had  fled  with  his  army 
upon  the  capitulation  of  Vicksburg.  The  command 
moved  slowly  and  cautiously  and  on  the  9th  passed 
through  Clinton  and  camped  within  6  miles  of  Jackson. 
On  the  10th  the  13th  corps  moved  up  and  took  position 
a  mile  to  the  right  of  the  railroad,  and  the  fighting  be 
came  general.  On  the  13th  of  July  the  33rd  Illinois  was 
in  the  extreme  front,  when  Sergeant  Ibri  Cannon,  of 
Company  K,  was  shot  and  instantly  killed  by  a  rebel 
sharpshooter.  He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  far  away  land. 
Before  the  war  he  had  been  a  teacher  of  some  note  in 
Illinois.  On  the  night  of  the  16th  of  July  the  enemy 
evacuated  Jackson,  after  having  placed  torpedoes  in  all 
the  roads  leading  out  of  the  city.  The  Union  army  oc 
cupied  the  proud  city  on  the  17th  of  July. 

After  destroying  several  miles  of  railroad,  Company 
K,  with  the  regiment,  returned  to  Vicksburg,  halting 
an  hour  at  the  old  camp,  and  then  went  into  quarters 
inside  the  old  rebel  fortifications,  at  the  lower  part  of 
the  city,  on  the  Mississippi  river.  Here  the  company 
remained  without  special  incident  as  a  company  until 
Aug.  19th,  1863,  when,  with  the  regiment,  it  embarked 
on  the  steamboat  "Gladiator"  and  proceeded  down  the 


182 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


river  to  New  Orleans.  On  the  21st,  disembarked  and 
went  into  camp  at  Carrollton,  a  suburb  of  the  Crescent 
City.  The  command  remained  here  until  Sept.  4th, 
when,  with  the  regiment,  the  company  crossed  the 
river  at  New  Orleans  and  went  by  rail  on  the  Opelousas 
road  to  Brasbear  City,  on  the  east  side  of  Berwick  bay. 
On  the  3rd  of  October,  1863,  with  the  regiment,  Com 
pany  K  started  out  on  the  "Bayou  Teche  Expedition". 
(See  history  of  regiment  for  account  of  this  trip.) 
Returning  reached  Algiers,  opposite  New  Orleans,  on 
the  4th  of  November,  1863,  and  the  next  day  embarked 
on  the  good  steamer  "Clinton",  Captain  Baxter  com 
manding,  under  orders  to  proceed  to  the  Rio  Grande. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  they  crossed  the  bar  and 
entered  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  This  was  a  new  experi 
ence  to  the  boys,  and  the  swaying  motion  of  the  ship 
caused  a  general  sea-sickness,  with  its  utter  and  com 
plete  helplessness,  to  take  possession  of  the  great  major 
ity,  for  they  were  nearly  all  "land  lubbers".  It  re 
minded  one  of  the  Irishman's  description  of  the  asth 
ma.  He  said,  "It  is  like  sea-sickness—one  minute  you 
think  you  will  surely  die,  and  the  next  you  are  afraid 
you  won't."  On  the  18th  land  was  sighted  at  Point 
Isabel,  but  owing  to  rough  weather  a  landing  could  not 
be  effected,  and  after  beating  up  and  down  the  coast  for 
two  days  a  dispatch  boat  came  out  with  orders  to  pro 
ceed  to  St.  Joseph's  Island,  100  miles  east,  where  the 
vessel  arrived  on  the  21st,  and  with  the  aid  of  a  "light 
er"  landed  on  Mustang  Island.  The  command  crossed 
the  inlet  in  the  afternoon  to  St.  Joseph's  Island,  a  low 
sandy  waste,  with  but  scant  vegetation  ;  not  a  tree  or 
shrub  to  be  seen.  The  island  is  separated  from  the 
main  land  by  a  lagoon,  or  lake,  varying  in  width  from 
half  a  mile  to  three  miles. 

Every  member  of  Company  K  (who  was  with  us) 
will  remember  the  cold  "Norther"  that  set  in  upon  the 
night  of  the  23rd  of  November.  The  boys  were  in  very 
light  marching  order  and  illy  prepared  to  grapple  with 
the  sudden  change  from  summer  to  winter,  and  there 
was  much  suffering.  November  24th  was  a  very  cold 
day.  The  island  was  well  stocked  with  deer  and  numer 
ous  herds  of  cattle,  nearly  as  wild  as  the  former.  The 
boys  of  the  regiment  killed  during  the  day  21  deer  and 
7  cows,  Company  K  getting  its  full  share,  and  for  once 
the  boys  were  independent  of  Uncle  Sam  in  the  matter 
of  fresh  meat.  November  2»th  the  command  crossed 
over  to  Matagorda  Island  and  on  the  27th  reached  the 
light  house  at  the  east  end  of  the  island.  (See  history 
of  regiment  for  operations  around  Fort  Esperanza. ) 
The  command  remained  at  Fort  Esperanza  until  the 
23rd  of  December,  when  our  brigade  boarded  the  "Mat- 
amoras"  and  "Planter"  and  ran  up  the  bay  16  miles 
to  Indianola,  on  the  main  land.  The  weather  in  gener 
al  was  warm  and  pleasant,  but  occasionally  a  "North 
er"  would  sweep  down  on  the  country  and  great  suffer 
ing  would  result. 

During  the  month  of  January,  1864,  while  at  Indian 
ola,  many  of  Company  K,  as  did  others  of  the  regi 
ment,  re-enlisted  as  Veterans  for  three  years,  unless 


sooner  discharged.  The  records  of  Company  K  show 
that  40  officers  and  men  who  at  that  time  belonged  to 
the  company,  re-enlisted.  Those  not  re-enlisting  were 
temporarily  assigned  to  the  9!)th  111.  Inft.  On  the  27th 
of  January,  1864,  the  regiment  was  formally  mustered 
into  the  U.  S.  service  as  Veterans,  and  in  the  afternoon 
went  aboard  the  good  ship  "St.  Mary"  and  sailed  for 
New  Orleans,  arriving  there  on  the  31st,  when  the  en 
tire  command  went  into  quarters  in  the  Louisiana  cot 
ton  press  building.  Company  K  officers  were  busy  per 
fecting  enlistment  papers  and  the  varied  "red  tape" 
requirements  incident  to  re-enlistment.  The  company 
remained  here  until  March  4th,  1864,  when,  with  the 
regiment,  it  embarked  on  the  "Westmoreland"  and 
started  up  the  river  for  Cairo.  From  there  the  com 
mand  went  to  Bloomington,  where  it  arrived  on  the 
14th  of  March.  Here  a  grand  reception  was  given  for 
the  whole  regiment.  The  men  now  received  their  "vet 
eran  furloughs"  of  thirty  days,  and  the  meeting  with 
the  loved  ones  at  home  was  a  great  treat  indeed.  No 
one  who  has  not  served  for  a  season  in  the  army  can 
fully  appreciate  the  comforts  and  blessings  of  home  life. 

On  the  13th  of  April  Company  K,  with  the  regiment, 
rendezvoused  at  Camp  Butler,  and  again  turned  to 
wards  the  south,  arriving  at  New  Orleans  on  the  26th. 
On  the  17th  of  May  the  company  again  reached  Brash- 
ear  City  and  went  into  camp  with  the  regiment.  After 
remaining  here  a  few  days  the  regiment  was  scattered 
out  on  the  Opelousas  railroad  between  Brasbear  City 
and  New  Orleans;  three  companies,  including  Company 
K,  were  stationed  at  Bayou  Boeuf.  In  July,  1864,  the 
non-veterans  of  the  company  rejoined  old  Company  K, 
and  the  meeting  was  a  very  happy  one  In  September 
following  the  full  three  years'  enlistment  of  the  non- 
veterans  having  expired,  they  started  home  via  New 
York,  having  a  lot  of  rebel  prisoners  in  charge.  On  the 
llth  of  October,  1864,  the  men  were  mustered  out  of  the 
U.  S.  service.  Company  K  remained  at  Bayou  Boeuf 
until  March  2nd,  1865,  when,  with  the  regiment,  it 
boarded  a  train  and  started  for  New  Orleans.  (For  an 
account  of  the  wreck  when  about  20  miles  from  the 
city,  see  history  of  regiment. )  A  detail  of  20  men  from 
Company  K  was  left  to  bury  the  dead.  At  New  Or 
leans  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  16th  army  corps, 
and  on  the  18th  of  March  embarked  on  boat  at  Lake 
Pontchartrain  for  the  Mobile  expedition.  Company  K 
remained  behind  to  guard  transportation,  and  rejoined 
the  regiment  at  Blakely  on  the  llth  of  April. 

At  this  time  events  were  crowding  thick.  Spanish 
Fort  was  captured  April  8th,  Fort  Blakely  was  stormed 
and  taken  by  our  forces  on  the  9th,  on  the  llth  the 
proud  city  of  Mobile  fell  into  Union  hands.  In  the 
east,  Gen.  Lee  surrendered  the  army  of  "Northern  Vir 
ginia"  on  the  9th  ;  on  the  26th  of  April  Gen.  Joe  John 
ston  surrendered  his  army  to  Gen.  Sherman  ;  on  May 
4th,  Gen.  Dick  Taylor  surrendered  his  army  to  Gen. 
Canby,  and  on  the  26th  of  May  Gen.  Kirby  Smith  sur 
rendered  the  "Trans-Mississippi  army",  the  last  army 
in  the  field,  thus  ending  the  most  gigantic  rebellion  in 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


all  the  world's  history.  The  war  had  cost  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  lives,  making  numberless  widows  and 
orphans,  and  billions  of  treasure.  The  great  conflict 
was  over,  and  peace  dawned  upon  the  Nation  redeemed 
from  the  curse  of  human  bondage,  and  triumphant  in 
the  establishment  of  the  doctrine  that  we  are  a  NA 
TION,  and  not  a  mere  league,  to  be  broken  at  the 
whim  of  one  or  more  states. 

From  Blakely  the  company  went,  with  the  regiment, 
to  Montgomery,  Alabama,  where  it  arrived  on  the  25th 
of  April ;  remained  until  the  10th  of  May  ;  then  marched 
to  Selma.  On  the  17th  went  by  rail  to  Meridian,  Mis 
sissippi. 

On  July  21,  1865,  the  company  was  temporarily  de 
tached  from  the  regiment  for  provost  duty,  and  rejoined 
the  regiment  at  Vicksburg,  August  30th,  where  it  re 
mained  until  Oct.  14th,  when,  with  Companies  G,  H 
and  I,  it  went  to  Greenville,  Mississippi  (the  other  six 
companies  of  the  regiment,  with  headquarters,  going  to 
Yazoo  City). 

On  the  24th  of  November,  1865,  came  the  formal 
muster-out  of  the  regiment.  The  boat  carrying  the  six 
companies  of  the  regiment  stopped  on  the  way  up  the 
river  and  took  on  Company  K,  with  the  other  three 
companies,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  to  Cairo,  where 
it  took  the  train  for  Springfield,  111.  On  the  30th  of 
November  it  reached  Camp  Butler,  where  it  was  paid 
off  and  formally  disbanded  on  the  7th  of  December,  1865. 

The  following  is  a  brief  outline  of  a  few  of  the  en 
listed  men  of  Company  K  subsequent  to  muster-out. 

Herman  Bohne  operated  a  farm  in  Champaign  coun 
ty,  111.,  after  muster-out;  became  a  railroad  station 
agent  for  awhile;  then  went  west,  settling  at  Grand 
Island,  Neb.,  where  he  went  into  the  furniture  busi 
ness,  and  subsequently  died  there. 

Orlando  Hamilton  Brewster  was  wounded  at  the  en 
gagement  of  Blackwell  Station,  Mo.,  Oct.  15,  1861,  and 
discharged  from  the  service  on  account  of  wounds  re 
ceived  there.  In  December,  1865,  he  moved  to  Louisi 
ana,  and  in  the  "reconstruction"  days  he  was  elected 
twice  a  member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  legislature  of 
that  state,  and  the  second  time  was  chosen  speaker  of 
the  house.  At  the  next  election  he  was  promoted  to  the 
state  senate.  While  occupying  this  honorable  position, 
our  former  Lieutenant  Col.  Pope  was  ruthlessly  assas 
sinated  by  the  Kuklux  in  Louisiana.  Mr.  Brewster 
took  a  very  active  part  in  securing  an  appropriation 
from  the  legislature  to  enable  Mrs.  Pope  to  remove  the 
body  of  her  husband  to  the  old  home  in  Illinois  and 
appropriately  inter  it.  In  1876  he  was  Presidential 
Elector  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  took  a  very  ac 
tive  part  in  the  Hayes  campaign.  He  always  took  a 
great  interest  in  education,  and  was  elected  superinten 
dent  of  schools  of  Ouachita  Parish ;  and  by  his  energy 
did  much  to  educate  the  masses  of  the  people  in  that 
parish.  He  was  appointed  Surveyor  General  by  Pres. 
Grant,  and  aided  Captain  Eads  in  his  great  work  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  river.  At  the  close  of  his 
second  term  he  removed  to  Florida,  and  made  a  beauti 


ful  home  on  Lake  Charm,  Orange  county,  where  he 
died  Sept.  30th,  1894.  Here  he  lived  a  quiet  life,  tak 
ing  but  little  part  in  politics.  He  lectured  on  India 
and  other  topics,  and  held  temperance  and  religious 
meetings  in  various  parts  of  Southern  Florida. 

James  Boicourt,  upon  returning  home  from  the  army, 
turned  his  attention  to  theology  and  became  a  minister 
of  the  gospel  in  the  M.  E.  church.  He  has  been  a  Pre 
siding  Elder  in  Kansas  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is>a 
noted  leader  in  the  counsels  of  the  church  with  which 
he  is  affiliated. 

W.  H.  Edgar,  after  discharge  from  Co.  K,  33rd  111., 
re-enlisted  in  Co.  E,  32nd  111.  Inft.,  and  was  promoted  to 
Second  Lieutenant.  Resigning  his  position  on  account 
of  poor  health,  he  went  into  the  express  business  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  is  now  publishing  "The  Semi- 
Weekly  Express",  at  Beatrice,  Neb. 

George  M.  Forsythe  settled  at  Virginia  at  muster-out 
of  company,  and  went  into  the  grocery  business;  he 
died  at  his  home  July  30,  1901. 

Henry  P.  Grund  is  a  successful  merchant  at  Girard, 
Kansas. 

James  M.  Hinchee,  at  muster-out  of  company,  set 
tled  at  Virginia,  and  died  Sept.  17,  1901. 

\V.  S.  Huffaker  is  engaged  in  farming  at  Silvan,  111., 
and  takes  a  great  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  Com 
pany  K,  33rd  111. 

Wm.  Jones  is  located  at  luka,  111.  He  is  in  the  in 
surance  business.  He  is  hale  and  hearty  and  confident 
ly  expects  to  live  to  be  100  years  old. 

H.  F.  Kelchner,  at  the  expiration  of  his  three  years' 
service,  settled  on  a  farm  near  Omega,  111.,  where  he 
still  resides. 

George  S.  Kuhl,  upon  muster-out  of  the  army,  re 
turned  to  his  old  home  at  Beardstown,  and  has  been  a 
successful  merchant  there  since. 

Samuel  Kyle  has  lived  in  Kansas  for  several  years, 
and  has  been  engaged  in  farming;  and  as  he  calls  the 
roll  of  old  Company  K,  as  of  yore,  he  lists  to  hear  the 
response,  "Here!". 

Frank  Lacey  married  and  settled  in  Kansas  in  the 
early  '70's,  and  has  made  a  success  of  farming  at  Ack- 
ron,  Kansas.  He  is  always  much  interested  in  hearing 
from  his  old  comrades. 

Brice  Suffleld  was  always  noted  as  a  very  quiet,  or 
derly  person.  His  natural  bent  of  mind  seemed  to  be 
theology  and  medicine.  He  served  the  greater  part  of 
his  army  life  in  the  hospital,  as  nurse  and  hospital 
steward.  He  was  offered  promotion  in  another  regi 
ment,  .but  preferred  to  remain  with  the  33rd  as  a  pri 
vate  rather  than  accept  an  office  in  another  regiment. 
He  was  discharged,  and  re-enlisted  March  29th,  1864, 
and  the  phrase  "Veteran  Recruit"  in  the  Adjutant 
General's  report  of  Illinois -is  in  error  and  misleading. 
After  his  muster-out  he  went  into  business  at  Bloom- 
ington,  taking  an  active  part  in  religious  work.  A  few 
years  ago  he  wrote  and  published  a  book  entitled 
"Composition  and  Office  of  Conscience",  which  has 
been  through  two  editions. 


184 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


Wm.  McOonochie,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  returned  to 
Illinois  and  eventually  settled  in  Rock  Island,  where  he 
took  a  very  prominent  part  in  the  welfare  of  the  city, 
and  was  elected  mayor  thereof.  He  is  always  identi 
fied  with  the  gathering  of  old  soldiers,  whether  around 
the  campfire  or  at  the  encampment. 

There  are  doubtless  many  more  of  Company  K  who  are 
entitled    to  honorable  mention,    but    their  career   sub 
sequent  to  the  war  is  almost  unknown  to  the  writer. 
GALLANT  OLD  COMPANY  "K"  ! 

More  than  forty  years  have  passed  since  we  first  met 
around  our  campfires,  and  time  in  its  ceaseless  march 
has  sundered  us  far  apart ;  but  the  familiar  faces  rise  up 
before  us  as  we  write,  and  the  scenes  and  incidents  of 
our  first  campaign  are  as  fresh  in  our  mind  as  though 
they  had  occurred  but  yesterday.  Of  the  men  whose 
names  first  appeared  on  the  rolls  of  the  company,  many 
of  them  have  received  their  final  discharge  from  earth 


ly  campaigns,  and  have  entered  the  land  of  rest.  Some 
of  them  are  sleeping  quietly  in  southern  graves,  in  the 
mountains  of  Missouri,  in  the  swamps  of  Arkansas,  on 
the  banks  of  the  great  river,  and  where  the  waters  of 
the  gulf  in  their  ceaseless  surges  break  upon  the  shores 
of  Texas.  In  these  far  away  lands  we  laid  them  down 
to  rest.  Green  by  thy'graves,  O,  honored  dead  !  May 
the  flowers  ever  bloom  above  them. 

Of  the  survivors  of  Company  K  their  homes  are  wide 
ly  scattered  ;  in  nearly  every  portion  of  our  land  have 
they  found  homes.  Several  of  them  have  held  positions 
of  honor  and  trust,  and  have  helped  to  demonstrate  the 
axiom  that  "the  soldier  is  the  best  guardian  of  the  Na 
tion's  honor  and  welfare".  Let  us  hope  that  each  one 
will  so  live  that  when  the  end  comes  he  will  receive 
the  plaudit,  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant!" 

L.   H.  PROSSER. 
Preston,  Minn.,  Jan.  21,  1902. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  "K"  COMPANY  ROSTER. 


The  company  first  assembled  at  Camp  Butler,  111., 
and  enlisted  Aug.  21,  1861,  and  was  finally  disbanded 
at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  Dec.  7th,  1865— making  a  total 
period  of  four  years,  three  months  and  sixteen  days  of 
military  service. 

The  company  had  five  Captains,  four  First  Lieuten 
ants,  three  Second  Lieutenants,  five  First  Sergeants, 
fourteen  Sergeants  and  twenty -six  Corporals.  One  pro 
motion  to  Field  Office,  two  promotions  by  the  President 
and  four  promotions  to  non-commissioned  staff',  one  of 
whom  became  Quartermaster  of  the  regiment. 

Discharged  for  disability,  37. 


Discharged  on  account  of  wounds,  7. 

Transferred  to  other  companies  or  branches  of  the  ser 
vice,  9. 

Wounded,  19. 

Killed  in  battle,  1. 

Drowned,  3. 

Deserted,  3. 

There  were  177  men  originally  enlisted  for  Company 
K ;  joined  by  transfer  from  72nd  Illinois  Infantry,  24 ; 
from  117th  Illinois  Infantry,  6 — making  a  total  of  207 
names  borne  on  its  rolls  from  its  organization  to  mus 
ter-out. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


185 


ROSTER  OF  «K"  COMPANY. 

Mustered  Into  the  U.  S.  Army  2  September,  J86J.    Mustered  Out  24  November,  J865. 
Date  of  Company  Enlistment,  J8  August,  186 1.    Date  of  Company  Discharge,  7  December,  1865. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

CAPTAIN. 

Lippincott,  Charles  E  
Nixon,  William  A     

Chandlerville.. 
Springfield  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  March,  '62  .. 
1  March,  '62,  to  1  July,  '62.  ... 

Promoted  Lieutenant  Colonel  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Resigned  at  Batesville.  Ark. 

Twining,  Edward  H  .     .   .. 
Adams,  Frank  . 

Jacksonville  .  .. 
Jacksonville  .  .. 

1  July,  '62,  to  28  Sept.,  '64.  ... 
28  Sept.,  '64,  to  16  Nov.,  '64.  .. 

Promoted  A.  D.  C.,  General  Staff  Dept.,  Ark.    Veteran. 
Promoted  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  La.,  by  the  President  to  A.  A.  General,  U.S. 

Higgins,  Edwin  L 

Springfield  

16  Nov.,  '64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Signal  Corps.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

IST  LIEUTENANT. 
Nixon,  William  A 

Springfield  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  March,  '62.. 

Taken  prisoner  at  Blackwell  Station,  Mo.    Promoted  Captain  at  Iron- 

Adams,  Frank  . 

Jacksonville  ... 

1  March,  '62,  to  28  Sept.,  '64.. 

ton,  Mo. 
Wounded  at  Magnolia  Hills,  Miss.    Promoted  Captain  at  Bayou  Boeuf, 

Higgins,  Edwin  L  

Springfield  

28  Sept.,  '64,  to  16  Nov.,  '64.  .. 

Louisiana. 
Promoted  Captain  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  La. 

Sheeler,  Joseph  H  

Petersburg  

16  Nov.,  '64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

2ND  LIEUTENANT. 
Weaver,  William  H  

Beardstown  

18  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  March,  '62  . 

Resigned  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  from  disability. 

Higgins,  Edwin  L          

Springfield  

22  March,  '62,  to  28  Sept.,  '64. 

Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  at  Bavou  Boeuf,   La.    Seriously   wounded  at 

Ford,  Frank  . 

Washington,  la. 

16  Nov.,  '64,  to  7  Dec.,  '65  

Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Served  on  Headquarters  Staff  Dept.  Miss.    Discharged  with   the  regi 

IST  SERGEANT. 
Higgins,  Edwin  L 

Springfield  ..  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  22  March,  '62  . 

ment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

SERGEANT. 
Edgar,  William  H 

Jacksonville.. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  7  Dec.,  '61  

Discharged  at  Ironton,   Mo.,   for  disabilitv.     Enlisted   in  32nd   111.,  31 

Stevenson,  Finis  E  
Grund,  Henry  P  

Petersburg  
Beardstown  .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Aug.,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

Dec.,  '61.    Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant  of  E  Company. 
Discharged  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark.,  for  disability. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Wounded  21  May.   '63.    Promoted   to  1st 

Sheeler,  Joseph  H  

Petersburg  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Nov.,  '64  ... 

Sergeant.    M.  O.  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  then  1st  Lieutenant  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  La. 

CORPORAL. 
Kendall,  John  N  
Kelchncr,  Henry  F  

Virginia  
Onarga..  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Sept.,  '64  

Mexican  war  veteran.    Returned  to  the  ranks.    Discharged   with   the 
regiment.    Veteran. 
Reduced  to  the  ranks.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Fulks,  Richard  B  

Beardstown 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '62  

Promoted  Q.  M.  Sergeant. 

Cole,  Edmund 

Fairview,  la  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Sept.,  64  

Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  disability. 

Cannon,  Ibri 

Macomb  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  July,  '63  

Promoted  Sergeant.    Killed  at  Jackson,  Miss. 

Turner,  Joseph  D  

Lancaster. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.     Reduced  to  ranks.    Discharged  by  ex 

Potter,  William  H  

Petersburg  ... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Oct.,  '63  

piration  term  of  service. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  I.  C.  at  New  Orleans,  La.    Veteran. 

Lightfoot,  Henry.  .  .  . 

Jacksonville  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  Feb.,  '62  

Discharged  from  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

MUSICIAN. 
Robinson,  Daniel  Z  

Virginia  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Asst.  Principal  Musician.    Returned  to  company  4  Sept.,  '64, 

Robertson,  John  J  

Jacksonville  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  

at  Terre  Bonne,  La.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

WAGONER. 
Raybourne,  James  F  
PRIVATE. 
Adams,  Frank  

Virginia  
Jacksonville  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  March,  '62  .. 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 

Adkins,  James  S    

Mason  Co 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  20  July,  '64  ... 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Brashear 

Alderson,  James  J. 

Cass  Co 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

City,  La. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Adkins,  William  T  

Springfield  . 

16  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Altick,  James  S  

Chandlerville  .. 

3  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Babcock,  Solomon  L  
Barnett,  Michael  J 

Macomb  
Cass  Co 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  March,  '62.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

24 


186 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"K"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Boicourt,  James  

Berrytown  

Berry  town  
Chandlerville  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Dec.,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Dec.,  '63.  ... 

21  Aug.,  '61,.  to  10  Jan.,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  21  March,  '63.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Aug.,  '63  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  2  Sept.,  '64.  .  . 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '61  

18  Dec.,  '63,  to  5  Sept  ,  '65  
25  March,  '64,  to  15  July,  '65.  . 
20  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Aug.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  Oct.,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Jan.,  '62.  ... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  13  April,  '63.  .  . 
28  Feb.,  '62,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

26  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
3  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
3  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.... 
13  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 

20  Feb.,  '64,  to  1  Jan.,  '65  
17  Feb.,  '65,  to  2  March,  '65.  .. 

5  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '61  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  March,  '64.  . 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

25  Feb.,  '62,  to  30  Dec.,  '64  .... 
30  Nov.,  '63,  to  28  June,  '65.  .. 
17  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Nov.,  '61  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  Nov.,  '64... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  27  Aug.,  '64  ... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .  .  .  . 
11  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
30  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
11  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

11  Apr.,  '64,  to  4  Dec.,  '65  
24  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
25  March,  '65,  to  18  Oct.,  '65.. 
11  Oct.,  '64,  to  10  Oct.,  '65  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  26  Aug.,  '62... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Oct.,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '61  
21  Aug.,  '01,  to  21  Oct.,  '62.... 
1  Feb.,  '64,  to  24  May,  '65  
23  Oct.,  '61,  to  26  Nov.,  '62.  .  .  . 
9  Dec.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

11  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
9  Dec.,  '61,  to  9  Aug.,  '62  
15  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
10  March,  '65,  to 

Promoted  Corporal;  Sergeant  on  detatched  service  at  M.  O.  of  reg 
iment.    Wounded  2  March,  '65.    Veteran. 
Wounded  1  May,  '63.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Wounded  1  May,  '63  at  Port  Gibson,   Miss.    Transferred   to   I).  S.  V.  C. 
Discharged  2  Sept.,  '64. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Died  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Wounded  at  Port  Gibson,  Miss.    1  May,  '63.    Promoted  Corporal,  Ser 
geant.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  by  expiration  of  service. 
Wounded  at  Blackwell's  Station,  Mo.,  Oct.  15,  '61.    Discharged  at  Iron- 
ton,  Mo.,  for  disability  from  wounds. 
Wounded  and  discharged  for  same  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Prisoner  of  war  since  transfer  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Deserted  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  31   Dec.,   '62.     Returned   to   reiriment  5 
Mch.,  '64.    Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the 
regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Wounded  at  Blackwell  Station,  Mo.    Discharged  for  same    at   Ironton, 
Missouri. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Served  in  Miss.  Med.  Dept.  Headquarters.     Discharged  with  the   regi 
ment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  2  March,  '65.     Discharged   with   the  regiment.    Served    in 
Headquarters  Miss.  Med.  Dapt. 
Transferred  to  Company  E  as  Musician. 
Drowned  at  mouth  of  Red  River  on  his   way  to  join   the    company. 
Body  never  recovered. 
Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
'Transferred  to  Company  I. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Promoted    Corporal.      Discharged    with    the    regiment.     Served    in 
Freedman's  Bureau.    Veteran. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Terre  Bonne,  La. 
Prisoner  of  war  at  transfer  from  72  111. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  for  disability. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.,  then  2nd  Lieutenant. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  Illinois.    Discharged  at  Terre  Bonne,  La.,   for 
disability. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  by  ex 
piration  term  of  service. 
Died  at  Camp  Butler,  III. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  from  117   HI.  July,  '65.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of 
service. 
Served  as  Color  Corporal.    Died  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Transferred  to  Company  I. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  • 
Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  disability. 
Died  at  Ironton,  Mo.    Buried  at  Virginia,  III. 
Promoted  Corpora),  Sergeant.  Served  on  Color  Guard.   .Discharged 
with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Died  at  Old  Town  Landing,  Ark.     Promoted  Corporal. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  the  regiment. 

Boicourt,  Edward  

Blair,  David  

Bohne,  A.  Herman  

Jacksonville  . 

Brown,  William  . 

Pleasant  Plains  . 
Matansas 

Beebe,  Martin  H 

Betz,  John  H    

Beardstown  

Brewster,  James  

Card's  Grove  .. 
Card's  Grove  .. 

Chicago  
Chicago  
Chicago  

Brewster,  Orlando  H  
Baker,  James 

Belden,  William  P  
Bennett,  Charles  
Bishop,  Joseph        

Crites,  Jacob  

. 
Mason  Co 

Cunningham,  Allen. 

Virginia 

Crews,  David  
Clifford,  James  H  
Crawford,  Thomas  

Berrytown  
Virginia  
Cass  Co 

Conwell,  David  C  

Gridley 

Carman,  Israel  

Chandlerville  .. 

Carman,  Edwin  H. 

Chandlerville... 
Lancaster. 

Carr,  John  H  

Convers,  William  P  . 

Lancaster  
Yatesville 

Creed,  Colby  

Curry,  David  J  

Beardstown 

Chandler,  Thomas  S 

Chandlerville  .. 
Livingston  Co.. 

Lebanon 

Campbell,  Archibald  
Cockle,  Elijah  S. 

Dwver,  John  

Cass  Co 

Dowler,  Moses 

Beardstown  .  .. 
Tallula 

Dye,  Ezekiel. 

Dodds,  Alfred  S  

Petersburg  . 

Dunn,  Timothy  
Diamond,  James  
Els  worth,  Ezra  M  

Nelson  
Chicago  
Athens  .  . 

Eyre,  Thomas  

Peoria 

Ford,  Frank  

Washington,  la. 
Chandlerville.. 
Beardstown  .  . 

Forsy  the,  George  M  
French,  George  

Foxworthy,  George  W  
Farmer.  William  H  

Hagley  
Yatesville 

Foxworthy,  Thomas  S  
Fortnez,  John  F.  M  

Jacksonville  .  .. 
Yatesville 

Goodell,  Frederick  

Card,  John  
Gould,  Samuel  A  
Gradv,  John  

Chandlerville  .. 

Jacksonville  
Jacksonville  
Srott 

Gentry.  James  P  Trenton  

Hartt,  John  F  
Hoff,  Henry  H  

Cass  Co  
Tallula 

Hinchee,  Charles  W  
Huffaker,  Warren  S  
Hendricker,  Conrad  
Mickey,  William  H  
Hooker,  Thomas  
Houck,  George  V  
Heath,  James  C  .           

Hagley  . 

Hagley  
Beardstown  
Chandlerville  .. 
Oakland  

Prairie  Creek  .. 

Hatrlev 

Hinchee,  James  M 

Hawkenberry,  Josiah  A... 
Hcndrick,  Samuel  A. 

Yatesville  
Clinton 

Haskell,  Charles  1  
Hawkenberry,  Joseph  S... 

Springfield  
Mt.  Sterling  .... 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 
"K"  COMPANY  ROSTER-Conttnued. 


187 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Hawkenberrv,  John  M 

Ouincy  . 

6  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment 

Hinchleff,  Henry 

Livingston  Co.. 

17  Feb.,  '65,  to  4  Oct.,  '65  

Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

Hartigan,  John  
Howard,  James  -  

Chicago  
Chicago  

3  Feb.,  '64,  toll  Aug.,  '65  
28  March,  '64,  to  

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  at  Meridian,  Miss. 
Transferred  from  72  III.  July,  '65.     Never  joined  the  company 

Mine,  John  S      

Trenton  

11  Oct,,  '64,  to  10  Oct.,  '65  

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.     Discharged  at  Vicksburg    Miss     at 

Jones,  William       

Onarga  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  March,  '62  . 

expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,   Mo. 

Johnston,  Norris  H 

Macomb  

31  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Jamison,  Leafrem  

Chicago  ,  

30  March,  '64,  to  

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Never  joined  the  company 

Jones,  Frank  A       

Coldbrook  :  

5  March,  '64,  to  

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Prisoner  of  war  since  transfer 

Kent,  Daniel 

Springfield  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Kuhl,  George  C 

Beardstown  .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment     Veteran 

Kuhl,  Geo.  S         

Beardstown  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  Oct.,  '64.  .  . 

On  detached  duty  when  ordered.      Discharged  by  expiration  term  of 

Kennedy,  Thomas  S 

Petersburg  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

service  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service 

Kilgore,  William  H  
Kyle,  Samuel 

Springfield  
Scotland 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  Jan.,  '62.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  for  wounds  received  at  Blackwell  Station, 
Missouri. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant,  1st  Sergt.    Wounded  severely   22  May 

Keltner,  John  W 

Yatesville 

11  Feb.,  '65,  to  2  March,  '65 

'63  as  Color  Guard.    Wounded  1  May,  '63.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment'. 
Veteran. 

Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 

Lyon,  Edgar  

Chandlerville  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '61... 

Transferred  to  regimental  band. 

Lawler,  John  

Beardstown  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  15  May,  '64 

Wounded  21  May,  '63.    Transferred  to  U.  S.  V.  R.  C. 

Legg,  John  M.  V.  B  
Lacev,  William  F.  M  

Bath  

Marion  Co  .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Promoted  Corporal.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Lasley,  Reason  F         

Cass  Co 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  June,  '62 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Luce,  Henry  H. 

Springfield  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  18  Jan.,  '64 

Served  as  regimental  baker.    Discharged  for  disability  at   New   Or 

Lyon,  Samuel  E  

Beardstown  .... 

25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.   . 

leans,  La. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Served  in  Med 

Lyon,  Lucius  D  

Yatesville 

11  Feb.,  '65,  to  11  Oct.,  '65 

ical  Dept. 
Discharged  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  for  disability. 

Lucas,  John  D  

Yatesville 

11  Feb.,  '65,  to  1  June,  '65 

Died  at  Selma,  Ala. 

Mattson,  David  W  

Cass  Co  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Minter,  Leonard  G  
Matthew,  John  P      

Hagley  
Cass  Co 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  March,  '62 

Served  during  enlistment  as  Leonard  G.   Mentree.    Discharged   with 
the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Discharged  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  for  disability  from   wounds   received    15 

Millner,  Henry  C 

Chandlerville  . 

21  Aug  ,  '61,  to  2  Feb  ,  '63 

Oct.,  '61. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

Monroe,  James  K  
Mullen,  Thomas  

Murray,  William    
Moulton,  John  H  
Martin,  John  A  

Chandlerville... 
Chandlerville... 

Virginia  
Waverly  
Mason  Co  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  3  March,  '63.  .  . 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
15  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Promoted    Corporal,   Sergeant.    Served   by   transfer  in    99  111.    Dis 
charged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Served  by  transfer   in  99   111.     Promoted   Ser 
geant.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  by  ex 
piration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Millstead,  Joseph  M 

Petersburg  

5  Jan.,  '62,  to  10  Aug.,  '65 

Discharged  for  disability  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.    Veteran. 

Maddox,  James  W. 

Jacksonville  . 

3  March,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Miller,  David  

Yatesville  

11  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Morgan,  Andrew  J.. 

Chandlerville 

9  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Mahen,  John  T  
Mahen,  Daniel  
McConochie,  William.. 

Chicago  
Chicago  
Joliet  

16  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
11  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
23  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65. 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

McGuire,  Peter  . 

Athens  . 

14  Dec.,  '63.  to  6  Dec.,  '65 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 

Murphy,  Patrick  
Murphy,  John  C  
McMahan,  Bernard  . 

Chicago  
Chicago  

16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
29  March,  '64,  to  15  Sept.,  '65. 
18  Oct.,  '64,  to  24  July,  '65  .... 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '(>5.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.     Died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Died  at  Montgomery,   Ala.    Never 

Martin,  John  

15  Sept.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  . 

joined  company. 
Served  bv  transfer  in  99  111.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 

Martin,  George  W    . 

Belleville  

16  Dec.,  '63,  to  

Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    Absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  regiment. 

Needham,  James  L  

Virginia    

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  23  Dec.,  '63  

Promoted  Corporal.    Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

Newman,  George  W      
Narricorn,  Joseph 

Chandlerville  .. 
Bremen    

4  Feb.,  '64,  to  8  Oct.,  '64  
11  Jan.,  '65,  to  10  July,  '65 

Died  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Sick  at  transfer  from  72  III.  July,  '65. 

Newman,  John  
Osten,  Charles  

Chicago  
Beardstown  

1  March,  64,  to  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  March,  '63.. 

Prisoner  of  war  since  transfer  from  72  111.  July,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Orr,  John  D  
Oliver,  Rudolph  

Mt.  Sterling..   . 
Boynton  

15  March,  '65,  to  
15  Feb.,  '65,  to  2  March,  '65.   . 

Missing  since  Nov.  17th,  '65. 
Killed  in  R.  R.  accident  near  Boutee  Station,  La. 

Patterson,  William 

Beardstown  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  5  Jan.,  '63. 

Transferred  to  Miss.  Marine  Brigade. 

Prosser,  Luther  H. 

Kinmundy    .   .  . 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  April,  '62. 

Promoted  Commissary  Sergeant  of  the  regiment. 

Phelps,  John  W  . 

Chandlerville  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64 

Wounded  15  Oct.,  '61.    Served  by  transfer  in  99  III.    Discharged  by  ex 

Peterson,  John  

Wyoming  

9  Dec.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

piration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 

Paul,  Marshfield  T  

Prentice  

1  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 

Plummer,  Elijah  S  
Pratt,  George  E  
Reynolds,  Holiday 

Livingston  Co.. 
Chicago  
Mason  City. 

17  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
15  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  29  Oct.,  '62.  .  . 

Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Russell,  William  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Wounded  1  May,  '63.    Discharged  by  ex 

piration  term  of  service. 

188 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 
"iT"  COMPANY  ROSTER— Continued. 


NAME  AND  RANK. 

RESIDENCE. 

TERM  OF  SERVICE. 

REMARKS. 

PRIVATE—  Continued. 
Riggs,  Wesley  George  — 
Renz,  Louis  

Virginia 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  19  Aug.,  '64.  .. 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64..  .. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  .... 
9  Dec.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63  
7  Oct.,  '64,  to  6  Oct.,  '65  

Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Wounded  1  May,  '63.    Discharged  by  ex 
piration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  from  disability  at  Ironton,  Mo. 
Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.     Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Wounded  in  action.    Deserted  4  Nov.,  '63. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Discharged  to  re-enlist  29  March,   '64,   at  Springfield,   111.    Promoted 
Hospital  Steward.     Veteran. 

Discharged  for  disability.  Re-enlisted  in  company.  Deserted  Aug.  9,  '65. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Died  at  Camp  Butler,  111. 
Served  as  Musician.     Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Veteran. 
Served  as  musician.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  for  disability  at  Meridian,  Miss. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Served  in  Freedman's  Bureau. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Served  as  Surgeon's  Orderly. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Served  in  Freedman's  Bureau. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment.    Served  in  Freedman's  Bureau. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Wounded  1  May,  '63.    Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  La. 
Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service.    Served  by  transfer   in   1st 
Indiana  Battery  from  May,  '63,  to  Jan.,  '64. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    Discharged  by  expiration   term  of 
service. 

Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  from  117  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Died  at  Mason  City,  111.,  while  on  furlough. 
Transferred  to  Company  I. 
Promoted  Captain  of  the  company. 
Promoted  Corporal,  Sergeant.    Discharged  with  the  reg't.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  to  U.  S.  V.  R.  C. 
Promoted  Corporal.    Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Transferred  to  company  I. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Wounded  1  May,  '63.    Discharged  by  ex 
piration  term  of  service. 
Served  by  transfer  in  99  111.    Discharged  by  expiration  term  of  service. 
Discharged  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  for  disability.    Veteran. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Discharged  with  the  regiment. 
Died  at  Brashear  City,  La. 
Transferred  from  72  111.  July,  '65.    M.  O.  with  the  regiment. 
Promoted  Quartermaster  of  the  reciment. 

Beardstown  
Prairie  Creek  .. 

Rancile,  Harry  T 

Wyoming  

Ragan,  Hiram  W 

Delavan  

Rail,  Jackson  

Belleville  
Prentice  
Petersburg  

Yatesville 

16  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Jan.,  '63  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  . 

Short,  Samuel  A  
Shrier,  Christian  
Smith   James  D   F  M 

Sutton,  James  M 

Ashland  

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  17  Jan.,  '62.... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  31  Aug.,  '65  ... 

j  21  Aug.,  '61,  to  16  March,  '62. 
|  2  Feb     '64    to 

Skelton,  Isham  
Suffield,  Brice  

Jacksonville  .  .. 
Chandlerville  .. 

Beardstown  — 

Jacksonville  .  .. 
Woodhall,  N.  Y.. 
Morgan  Co  
Springfield  

Sissick,  Joseph  

Stephenson,  Joseph  B  
Stone,  Thomas  J      

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  4  Dec.,  '62.  .  .  . 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  12  Sept.,  '61.  .. 
1  Sept.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Jan.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Spencer,  Joseph  M        ... 

Stowell,  Orville  L. 

Samons,  James      

Jonesborough  . 
Mason  Co  

1  Jan.,  '65,  to  12  June,  '65  .... 
8  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec..  '65  

Shoemaker,  Abraham  
Sims,  Benjamin  L  
Snell,  Lewellyn  A  . 

Beardstown  
Livingston  Co.. 
Chandlerville  .. 
Beardstown  

30  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .. 
17  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
30  March,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  .  . 
3  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Snell   Adolph 

Sprouse,  John  A 

Bloomington..  . 
Mason  Co 

21  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65.  ... 
3  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Stewart    William 

Summers,  William  M  
Summers,  Augustus 

Beardstown  
Jacksonville  .  .. 
Mason  Co  

25  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
14  April,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65... 
8  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Swartwood,  Charles 

Mason  Co 

4  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec,,  '65  

Stockton,  Thomas  B    
Strope,  Joseph 

Prentice  
Fort  Madison,!?. 
Petersburg  

Chicago  
Chicago  

19  March,  '62,  to  31  Jan.,  '64.. 
30  Dec.,  '61,  to  31  Dec.,  '64.  ... 
18  Dec.,  '61,  to  31  Dec.,  '64.  ... 

15  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
5  Oct.,  '64,  to  4  Oct.,  '65  

23  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  

Swingle,  William  M 

Steadman,  George  
Schuster,  Thomas  

Strachan,  Louis  G  
Sullivan,  John 

Chicago  
Chicago  .. 

Shepherd,  Henry  

Memphis,  Tenn. 
Mason  City  
Jacksonville  .  .. 
Jacksonville  .  .. 
Gridley 

1  Dec.,  '63,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  10  March,  '64.. 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '61  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  July,  '62  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
18  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
7  Dec.,  '61,  to  15  Jan.,  '64  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  .... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  1  Oct.,  '61  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.  ... 
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 

21  Aug.,  '61,  to  11  Oct.,  '64.... 
1  May,  '62,  to  10  Aug.,  '65  
12  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
3  Feb.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
13  Feb.,  '65,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
4  Feb.,  '64,  to  1  June,  '64  
8  Jan.,  '64,  to  6  Dec.,  '65  
21  Aug.,  '61,  to  30  Aug.,  '61  .  . 

Trasey,  John  W  . 

Teft,  Willis 

Twining,  Edward  H  

Tarman,  Amos  B 

Towles,  John  A. 

Beardstown  

Vanokin,  William  

Welch,  William 

Mason  City.  .  .  . 

Wood,  Enos 

Whitehall 

Williamson,  Joseph  
Wilson,  James           

Virginia  
Virginia  

Wilcox,  Frank  H  
Willett,  William  A. 

Lexington  
Prentice  .. 

Wilson,  Calvin  C  

Beardstown  
Chandlerville... 
Jacksonville..  .. 
Chandlerville... 
Chicago  
Kinmundv..  . 

Workman,  William  H.   .... 
Worth,  Clark  
Wilson,  JohnC  

Woodward,  Samuel  
Wrieht,  Simeon... 

THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


189 


THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  COL.  LIPPINCOTT. 


Headquarters  33rd  Reg.  111.  Vol.  Infantry.  \ 
Before  Vicksburg,  June  4,  1863.  J 

LIEUT.  J.  P.  WIGGINS,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

In  compliance  with  the  order  requiring  a  history  of 
the  regiment  since  leaving  Milliken's  Bend,  La.,  I  have 
the  honor  of  transmit  the  following  : 

April  14th.  The  33rd,  only  this  morning  relieved 
from  fatigue  duty  on  the  Dockport  Canal,  started  al 
most from  Milliken's  Bend  at  1  o'clock  p.  m. 

On  the  loth  we  passed  through  Richmond,  marched 
some  two  miles,  and  sent  back  for  rations. 

On  the  16th  encamped  at  Camp  Carr,  near  Miller's 
plantation,  where  we  remained  until  the  21st. 

On  the  21st  of  April,  about  noon,  we  crossed  the  bay 
ou  in  front  of  Miller's  plantation  and  marched  in  ad 
vance  of  all  the  rest  of  the  division  to  Perkin's  planta 
tion,  having  left  behind  all  baggage  of  every  descrip 
tion.  We  arrived  at  Perkin's  plantation  at  9  :00  o'clock 
p.  m.,  and  for  breakfast  next  morning  all  my  command 
ate  the  last  of  their  rations. 

On  the  23rd  I  was  ordered  to  unload  the  transport 
"Empire  City",  my  command  having  been  without 
food  for  twenty-four  hours.  It  was  done  with  prompt 
ness  and  cheerfulness. 

On  the  27th  embarked  on  the  transport  Forest  Queen. 

On  the  28th  we  disembarked  nearly  opposite  Grand 
Gulf. 

On  the  29th  we  marched  across  the  be on  the  levee, 

to  a  landing  just  below  Grand  Gulf,  and  the  next  morn 
ing  at  daylight  embarked  on  a  barge,  went  down  the 
river  some  ten  miles  and  disembarked  at  a  place  called 
Bruinsburg.  Here  I  was  ordered  to  make  a  detail  from 
my  command  to  bring  rations  for  five  days  by  hand  for 
the  whole  command,  while  we  marched  on  through  the 
high  ground  some  miles  distant  and  waited  for  the  ra 
tions  to  come  up  and  for  the  men  to  get  some  food. 
At  about  10  :00  o'clock  we  again  started,  and  marched 
slowly,  annoyed  by  constant  delays  in  our  front,  until 
at  2:00  o'clock  we  reached  the  rest  of  the  division,  at  a 
place  called  Magnolia  Hills.  We  lay  on  our  arms  all 
night,  ate  a  hurried  breakfast  at  day-dawn,  and  went 
into  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson.  Having  already  written 
a  report  of  the  part  which  my  regiment  took  in  that 
important  battle,  it  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  re 
peat  it. 

This  brings  me  to  May  2nd,  when  we  marched  to  the 
town  of  Port  Gibson,  and  my  regiment  was  detailed  to 
build  the  floating  bridge  which  was  necessary  to  replace 


the  suspension  bridge  burned  by  the  retreating  enemy. 

On  the  3rd  of  May  we  marched  to  the  railroad  bridge 
on  the  road  to  Grand  Gulf,  came  back  to  Port  Gibson, 
and  marched  on  the  road  to  Willow  Springs.  We  con 
tinued  marching  with  occasional  halts  of  a  day  or  two 
until,  on  the  evening  of  the  14th,  we  were  in  the  im 
mediate  vicinity  of  Jackson,  when  we  countermarched, 
took  the  Bolton  road,  and  on  the  16th  of  May  found 
ourselves  in  front  of  the  enemy  at  Champion  Hills. 

Soon  after  arriving  on  the  field  I  was  ordered  by 
Brigadier  General  Carr  to  hasten  to  the  support  of  Col. 
Garrett,  whose  brigade  was  hard  pressed.  I  did  so  with 
the  utmost  speed,  and  reported  to  Col.  Garrett,  who  sent 
a  guide  to  show  me  just  where  his  left  was,  that  I  was 
to  reinforce.  On  arriving  at  the  place  I  found  to  my 
surprise  that  the  ground  had  been  abandoned  by  the 
brigade  which  I  was  to  support.  Accordingly  I  threw 
out  a  company  of  skirmishers  in  my  front,  and  formed 
my  regiment  in  line  of  battle  on  the  place  indicated  by 
the  guide  sent  with  me  by  Col.  Garrett.  There  was 
some  straggling  firing;  I  had  two  men  killed,  as  I  sup 
pose,  by  the  same  bullet ;  and  my  skirmishers  killed 
several  of  the  enemy  and  took  a  few  prisoners. 

In  a  short  time  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  the  troops 
composing  the  brigade  I  had  come  to  assist  resume 
their  places  in  line  of  battle.  Immediately  afterwards, 
in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  I  was  ordered 
with  my  regiment  to  advance.  In  this  advance,  hav 
ing  the  lead  of  the  brigade,  I  took  a  great  many  prison 
ers,  and  sent  them  in  squads  to  the  rear.  How  many 
they  numbered  would  be  a  mere  matter  of  guess,  and  I 
decline  any  conjecture. 

Continuing  the  pursuit,  at  about  sundown  my  regi 
ment  received  the  last  volley  from  the  fiying  enemy, 
which  did  no  harm  beyond  wounding  my  own  horse, 
as  I  was  forming  the  regiment  into  line.  We  pursued 
the  enemy  until  it  was  entirely  dark,  when  we  halted 
at  Edwards'  Depot  for  the  night.  Starting  at  daybreak 
,  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  I  was  still  permitted  to 
keep  the  advance  of  the  brigade.  I  threw  out  several 
companies  of  skirmishers  a  short  distance  in  advance  of 
my  regiment,  under  the  very  intelligent  command  of 
Capt.  Elliott  of  Company  E.  Three  of  the  skirmishers 
drove  in  the  enemy's  pickets  and  took  several  prisoners. 
Marching  then  for  about  four  miles,  we  came  upon  the 
enemy  at  about  sunrise,  strongly  entrenched. 

I  was  ordered  to  keep  the  left  of  my  regiment  resting 
on  the  road,  and  advance  in  line  with  the  other  regi- 


100 


THE 


CA  .>\f/>A  fGN. 


incuts  of  the  brigade.  Near  the  edge  of  the  wood,  in 
front  of  the  enemy's  works,  and  under  their  tire  of  ar 
tillery  and  musketry,  we  halted,  my  men  waiting  im 
patiently  for  an  order  to  charge.  All  the  time,  under 
the  command  of  ('apt.  Klliott,  I  kept  out  several  com 
panies  of  skirmishers,  who  advanced  with  great  gallant 
ry  to  within  a  very  short  distance  of  the  entrench 
ments,  and  kept  up  a  constant  and  effective  tire.  1  also 
had  a  number  of  men  from  various  companies,  selected 
on  account  of  superior  marksmanship,  to  climb  into  the 
trees,  that  they  might  better  shoot  over  the  works. 

When  the  order  was  given  to  advance,  my  command, 
with  (lie  rest  of  the  brigade,  obeyed  it  with  alacrity. 
The  companies  who  were  in  advance  as  skirmishers  had 
of  course  a  great  advantage  over  the  rest  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  it  was  the  good  fortune,  which  by  their  gal 
lantry  they  had  well  merited,  of  Companies  B  and  D  to 
be  the  tirst  of  their  brigade,  and  as  soon  as  any  of  the 
division,  within  the  works  of  the  rebels.  My  men  were 
mounted  on  the  enemy's  guns,  which  were  loaded, 
while  their  cannouiers  were  still  within  a  few  feet  of 
them.  My  regiment  took  thirteen  guns,  nearly  every 
one  loaded.  The  four  others  taken  at  that  part  of  the 
field  were,  in  my  judgment,  taken  by  soldiers  of  the 
8th,  and  possibly  some  of  the  18th  Indiana  regiments. 

In  this  connection  1  desire  to  mention  the  name  of 
Private  James  Adkins,  of  Company  K,  who  was  the 
first  man  to  mount  the  enemy's  gun,  which  he  did 
with  a  cheer,  waving  his  hat,  while  yet  the  gunners 
were  hesitating  and  in  a  few  feet  of  him.  I  wish  also 
to  say  that  the  name  of  Sergeant  Morey,  of  Company 
B,  has  been  mentioned  to  me  for  his  conspicuous  brav 
ery  on  that  day,  which,  however,  was  no  matter  of 
surprise  to  those  who  have  known  him  before. 

I  was  directed  to  detail  a  company  to  guard  the  cap 
tured  guns,  artillery  horses,  etc.,  which  were  among  the 
fruits  of  our  victory,  and  detailed  Company  B,  Capt. 
Gill,  for  that  duty,  in  acknowledgment  of  the  promi 
nent  part  which  they  bad  taken  in  capturing  them. 
With  the  rest  of  my  regiment,  I  marched  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  18th  towards  Vicksburg,  and  arrived  near  the 
front  the  next  day,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  in  sup 
port  of  brigade  under  Col.  Laundrum. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  iJOth  we  were  ordered  to  take 
a  position  on  the  right  of  the  railroad,  and  in  crossing 
to  the  position  we  were  exposed  to  a  severe  cross  fire  of 
grapeshot  and  musketry  from  the  enemy.  Capt.  Kel 
logg,  of  Company  C,  fell  killed  at  the  head  of  his  com 
pany  by  a  grapeshot  through  the  head.  Capt.  Norton, 
of  Company  A,  was  wounded  by  a  minie  ball,  and  one 
private  killed. 

On  that  day  and  the  next  we  established  positions  for 
sharpshooters,  who  were  constantly  employed.  On  the 
morning  of  the  ±Jnd  of  May  we  were  ordered  to  charge 
the  enemy's  works;  at  10:00  o'clock  a.  m.,  by  previous 
order,  we  were  to  march  out  of  a  ravine  which  led  into 
a  road  opposite  the  works,  then  form  into  line  and 
charge  bayonet,  without  firing  upon  whatever  might 
be  before  us.  The  order  of  our  advance  was,  first  the 


!>i)th  and  then  the  33rd  Illinois.  I  kept  close  to  the  left 
Hank  of  the  i)!)th,  saw  it  form  gallantly  into  line,  all  its 
field  officers  shot  down,  and  the  regiment  halt  in  line 
by  the  roadside  for  orders.  Conscious  that  it  would  not 
answer  to  form  behind  that  regiment,  in  a  road  swept 

by   storm  of   tire,    I    continued  to  march  by Hank 

around  the  left  of  the  !>!>th,  then  brought  my  command 
forward  into  line,  and  charging  rapidly  forward  to  the 
works  directly  before  me.  It  was  a  fearful  fire,  but 
I  am  proud  to  say  that  no  man  blanched. 

I  ought  to  have  said  what  has  been  omitted,  that 
besides  Company  B,  absent  guarding  captured  guns, 
three  companies,  vi/:  K,  H  and  F,  were  in  the  rifle 
pits,  leaving  for  the  charge  but  six  companies.  On 
they  went,  such  as  were  unhurt,  leaving  the  ground  be 
hind  them  strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded.  We  ad 
vanced  to  the  very  front  of  the  works.  On  the  way  I 
was  knocked  down  by  a  bullet,  which,  however,  only 
disabled  me  for  a  short  time.  My  second  in  command, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Roe,  was  wounded,  but  my  brave 
command  never  faltered,  but  went  straight  forward 
with  rapidly  diminishing  numbers  to  what  seemed  to 
be  certain  death.  Of  that  nine  hours'  gallant  lighting, 
of  that  nine  hours'  tenacious  holding  such  a  position, 

it  need  not [about   1">  lines  omitted; 

unable  to  read  them] though   suffering 

with  poor  health,  and  really  unfit  for  such  fatigue  as 
he  underwent.  The  ability  and  dashing  gallantry  of 
Capt.  Elliott  has  already  been  mentioned.  He  deserves 
more  than  a  passing  notice.  And  now  as  I  think  over 
the  names  of  captains  and  other  officers,  it  is  hard  to 
keep  from  writing  the  list  of  their  gallant  names,  which 
would,  if  done,  be  but  a  roster  of  my  regiment.  It  is 
better  proudly  to  say  that  no  man  has  failed  in  the 
hour  of  severest  trial.  F  wish  to  mention  Corporal 
Shaw,  the  bearer  of  the  regimental  colors,  who  nobly 
did  all  his  duty. 

Sergt.  Wills,  color  bearer,  sick  when  he  started,  was 
disabled  early  in  the  action  on  the  ±ind  and  Corporal 
Dultois  of  Company  C  quietly  asked  to  bear  the  colors 
into  what  seemed  to  be  the  mouth  of  hell.  He  deserves 
well  of  the  country. 

I  have  to  beg  pardon  for  the  length  of  this  report, 
which,  if  more  time  was  allowed  me,  I  would  endeavor 
to  shorten  still  more.  But  long  as  it  seems,  it  covers 
much  time  which  has  been  crowded  with  many  deeds. 

In  submitting  it  I  have  not  attempted  to  express  any 
emotion  of  my  own,  but  simply  to  tell  the  facts. 
Very  Respectfully, 

C.  E.  LIPPINCOTT' 
Col.  Commanding  33rd- Regt.  111.  Vol.  Infantry. 

[The  foregoing  report  of  Colonel  Lippincott  came  into 
my  hands  in  a  very  dilapidated  condition.  It  was  im 
possible  to  decipher  the  missing  words  and  lines  with 
any  accuracy,  and  I  think  best  to  print  it  in  above 
form.  The  comrades  who  participated  in  the  scenes  as 
narrated  by  Colonel  Lippincott  can  best  supply  the 
missing  parts.  Those  events  are  burned  into  their 
memories  to  a  depth  that  even  time  itself  cannot  erase. 
— V.  G.  Way.] 


77/7  It  T  Y-  Til  lint   ILLINOIS   VKTKRAN   VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


191 


THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  MISSISSIPPI. 

BY  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  E.  R.  ROE,  33rd  III.  Infty. 

[Front   the   /}/o<i>ni>i(/f<i>i   (Iff.)   /'( 


In  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  June  !>,  1808. 

Mr.  Editor:—  In  accordance  with  your  request  I  fur 
nish  you  with  some  account  of  Gen.  Grant's  campaign 
in  Mississippi,  up  to  the  31st  of  May,  confining  myself 
chiefly  to  the  history  of  the  33rd  regiment. 

On  the  night  of  the  liJ)tli  of  April  the  army  slept  upon 
the  ground,  without  tents,  a  little  below  Grand  Gulf; 
and  at  daybreak  next  morning  the  regiments  "mus 
tered  for  pay"  by  simply  calling  the  roll.  This  indi 
cated  work,  and  accordingly  the  entire  army  was  soon 
ordered  to  embark  upon  the  boats  which  had  the  night 
before  been  safely  run  past  the  rebel  batteries. 

By  nine  o'clock  seven  gunboats  and  six  transport 
steamers,  each  with  two  large  coal  barges  in  tow,  were 
loaded  with  troops,  packed  together  as  closely  as  men 
could  stand  ;  and  with  colors  flying  and  bands  playing, 
the  fleet  was  beginning  to  move  down  the  Mississippi. 
Of  course,  as  we  all  supposed,  we  were  to  land  just  be 
low  the  town  of  Grand  Gulf  and  take  the  place  by 
storm.  Hut  on  we  went,  mile  after  mile,  till  we  came 
in  sight  of  the  town  of  Rodney,  some  twenty-five  miles 
below,  when  the  gunboats  gave  the  signal  to  stop,  and 
one  of  them  coasted  along  the  shore  and  selected  a  place 
to  land.  Within  two  hours  the  entire  army  was  disem 
barked—infantry  and  artillery,  three  days'  half  rations 
issued,  and  the  march  to  the  interior  begun,  while  the 
fleet  returned  for  another  load  of  troops. 

The  33rd  regiment  is  in  the  right  brigade  of  Gen. 
Grant's  army,  and  was  now,  as  a  part  of  Gen.  Carr's 
division,  in  the  advance.  We  had  nothing  but  our 
weapons,  our  ammunition,  and  the  clothing  on  our 
backs.  Tents,  wagons,  horses,  baggage,  mess-chests, 
cooking  utensils,  everything  else  was  left  behind.  The 
army,  while  on  that  campaign,  at  least,  was  to  live  off 
the  enemy.  Details  of  men  carried  the  fifty-pound 
boxes  of  hard  bread  for  the  first  eight  miles,  when  it 
was  all  distributed  into  the  men's  haversacks.  At  sun 
down  we  had  made  eleven  miles,  and  halted  for  supper, 
Gen.  Osterhaus'  division  in  the  meantime  advancing 
by  a  difl'erent  route. 

At  nine  o'clock  we  were  again  on  the  march,  and 
passed  rapidly  through  the  moonlit  forest  until  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  our  skirmishers  came 
upon  the  rebel  pickets,  and  the  enemy  soon  opened  up 
on  us  with  a  well-served  battery  of  rifled  guns.  Our 
own  artillery  was  soon  in  position,  and  a  heavy  can 


nonading  was  kept  up  for  an  hour,  until  the  moon 
went  down,  when  there  was  a  truce  till  daylight.  Dur 
ing  this  short  interval  most  of  the  troops  snatched  a 
little  sleep,  and  by  six  o'clock  had  eaten  their  frugal 
meal  and  were  ready  for  the  battle,  which  soon  opened 
in  good  earnest. 

So  far,  the  enemy's  infantry  had  not  shown  them 
selves,  and  it  became  necessary  to  hunt  them  out  with 
skirmishers.  But  the  difficulty  of  this  enterprise  can 
only  be  appreciated  by  some  knowledge  of  the  region 
where  the  impending  battle  was  to  be  fought.  The 
slopes  were  heavily  timbered,  and  the  deep  and  gloomy 
ravines  were  clothed  with  dense  canebrakes  as  well  as 
trees,  filled  with  tangled  vines  and  briers  and  fallen 
timber. 

Four  companies  of  the  33rd  Illinois,  under  command 
of  Major  Potter,  were  selected  as  skirmishers  to  exam 
ine  the  enemy's  position.  In  the  meantime,  the  re 
maining  portion  of  the  regiment  was  posted  on  the  ex 
treme  right,  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  attempt,  at 
the  proper  time,  to  turn  the  enemy's  left.  Major  Potter 
and  his  skirmishers  performed  their  work  nobly,  and 
soon  reported  the  position  of  the  rebel  infantry.  The 
battle  now  opened  in  good  earnest,  Osterhaus'  division 
attacking  the  enemy's  right  and  Carr's  his  left. 

The  rebel  infantry,  then  7,000  strong,  was  drawn  up 
in  line  of  battle  just  behind  the  crest  of  a  long,  narrow 
ridge,  which  furnished  almost  as  good  protection  as  ar 
tificial  breastworks.  In  their  front  was  a  deep  and  al 
most  impassable  ravine,  with  a  hill  beyond,  occupied 
by  the  Union  troops.  The  medium  distance  between 
the  two  was  less  than  a  thousand  yards.  For  two  hours 
the  roar  of  artillery  and  musketry  across  this  ravine 
was  terrible.  The  enemy's  position  was  exceedingly 
strong,  and  hi'  maintained  it  with  a  dogged  courage 
worthy  of  a  better  cause. 

Gen.  McClernand  now  sent  the  !>!»tb  and  33rd  Illinois 
regiments  by  different  routes  through  the  canebrakes  to 
turn  the  rebel  left  Hank.  The  ground  passed  over  by 
our  regiment  was  barely  not  impassable.  With  all  our 
exertions  it  took  an  hour  to  make  a  single  mile.  At 
length  we  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy's  left  flank,  as 
we  emerged  from  a  deep  gorge,  right  in  our  front.  With 
a  loud  shout  we  charged  up  the  hill ;  but  long  before  we 
had  the  ridge  upon  which  the  rebels  had  been  posted, 
they  were  (lying  down  into  the  ravine  in  front  of  them, 


777 K   VIGKSBURQ  CAMTAKIN. 


and  another  portion  off  through  the  valley  to  the  M 
When  we  reached  the  crest  we  were  joined  by  (lie  UHtli, 
whieli  li.nl  eonie  by  another  route,  and  found  upon  our 
left  the  balmier  of  our  brigade— the  Nth  und  isih  Indi 
ana—which  had  reached  the  enemy's  left  think  from 
the  front. 

The  division  of  <jcn.  Oslerhuus  pursued  that  portion 
"i  the  rebel  army  which  had  passed  oil'  to  the  ri"hi, 
toward  Port  (iihson  (three  miles  oil'),  and  kept  up  the 
ii"ht  with  (hem  Inte  into  the  ur-hi  Along  our  left 
was  now  the  rest  of  (Jen.  CHIT'S  division— the  -1st  mid 
•'mi  Mo.,  '  'i.l  IOWM  and  Mil.  '\i  ...i,  :u  Within  the 
next  hour  the  enemy  In  the  front  of  this  division  was 
fully  routed,  most  of  their  artillery  captured,  and  a 
Lii"c  number  of  prisoners  taken.  During  this  time  the 
.'i.'Jd  was  ordered  to  tix  bayonets  fora  charge,  reserve  their 
tire,  and  await  further  orders.  We  were  on  the  very  spot 
occupied  by  the  rebels  in  the  morning ;  and  Col.  Lippin- 
eott,  like  a  prudent  commander  as  he  is,  made  his  men 
lie  down  behind  the  cover  of  the  ridge.  Hut  this  was  a 
most  difficult  order  to  enforce;  and  in  spite  of  all  re 
straint  the  men  would  pick  oil'  the  rebels  by  rising  and 
I'M  in-  over  the  bank.  On  our  left  we  witnessed  the 
charge  and  capture  of  the  rebel  batteries,  and  the  tlnal 
rout  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction,  without  U-iny,  our 
selves  permitted  to  lire  a  gun.  Mul  we  went  there  to 
obey  orders;  and  we  did  it.  Soon  after,  our  whole  bri 
gade  marched  forwaid  in  line  of  battle  down  the  de 
clivity,  through  the  gorge  below  and  up  to  the  ground 
recently  occupied  by  the  enemy  in  his  retreat.  Hut  we 
never  got  another  shot  at  him. 

Hy  this  time  the  heavy  roar  of  cannon  and  musketry 
at  two  unexpected  points  told  that  the  enemy  had  been 
reinforced,  and  had  renewed  the  bloody  contest  with 
new  courage.  Hut  we  soon  tound  that  the  Union  army 
bad  also  been  reinforced.  (Jen.  Ben  ton 'a  brigade  (ours) 
was  now  rapidly  marching  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  vi 
cinity  of  the  strife  and  posted  to  protect  our  artillery. 
We  spent  the  balance  of  the  day  in  this  position,  ac 
companied  by  various  other  troops.  At  least  six  of  our 
batteries  were  in  position  on  a  single  lull:  and  until 
night  put  an  end  to  the  contest,  the  roar  of  artillery 
was  tremendous.  In  two  directions  there  was  also 
heavy  infantry  tiring,  and  the  savage  contest  lasted  thus 
until  sundown. 

We  slept  upon  our  arms  on  the  brow  of  a  hill,  nearly 
under  the  mu/./.les  of  our  cannon.  The  next  morning's 
summing  up  of  results  showed  a  routed  enemy,  nearly 
all  his  artillery  and  lniu.lir. I-  of  small  arms  in  our 
hands,  and  some  thousand  or  more  prisoners  taken  and 
on  the  march  to  the  Mississippi.  The  Union  losses 
have  already  been  reported;  that  of  the  :».'»rd  was  18 
men  wounded. 

Hy  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  L'nd  of  May 
the  whole  army  was  following  on  the  track  of  the  ene 
my  toward  Port  (iihson,  three  miles  oil'.  The  march 
was  begun  by  each  brigade  in  line  of  battle,  moving  to 
the  front  over  the  country  to  the  high  road,  regardless 
of  hill.  Well  may  (Jen.  (Jrant  say  that  "it  is  the  most 


broken  and  dilllcult  ground  to  pass  over"  he  ever  saw. 
Words  cannot  describe  it.  Hut  we  got  over  it  ;  and  by 
eleven  o'clock,  the  whole  Union  army  was  bivouacked 
in  or  near  the  beautiful  town  of  Port  (iibson.  No  ene 
my  was  to  be  seen;  but  two  splendid  iron  suspension 
bridges,  blown  up  and  destroyed,  showed  the  work  of 
his  hand.  We  spent  the  remainder  of  the  day  in  build 
ing  floating  bridges— the  "..'-r.i.  under  its  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  laboring  three  hours  at  it,  and  working  with  a 
will;  ami  were  now  ready  to  follow  up  the  enemy. 

Port  (iibson  is  situated  on  the  eastern  bank  of  Hayou 
Pierre.  The  two  suspension  bridges  already  mentioned 
were  respectively  on  the  roads  to  (Jrand  (Julf  and 
Vicksburg;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  aid  (Sunday) 
one  column  of  the  Union  army  moved  towards  (Jrand 
(Julf  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  that  place  in  the  rear, 
while  anot  her  proceeded  in  the  direct  ion  of  Vicksburg. 
The  Mrd,  with  the  balance  of  Carr's  division,  took  the 
former  route,  marching  some  three  miles  to  the  left  for 
(he  purpose  of  crossing  the  bayou.  When  we  reached 
it,  it  was  found  that  the  enemy's  works  on  the  opposite 
shore  had  been  abandoned,  and  we  soon  learned  that 
(Jrand  Gulf  had  been  evacuated  by  the  enemy  and  oc 
cupied  by  our  forces  from  the  gunboat  licet  in  front. 
Itight -about  face  was  then  the  order,  and  in  a  little 
while  our  whole  army  was  in  full  march  upon  the 
Yickshurg  road,  but,  as  will  hereafter  appear,  with  no 
intention  of  at  that  time  attacking  the  rebel  stronghold. 

(Jen.  (Jrant's  policy  was  now  to  move  forward  rather 
slowly,  while  the  remainder  of  his  troops  came  up;  and 
to  march  in  heavy  columns,  by  different  parallel 
routes,  for  the  purpose  of  subsisting  his  army  on  the 
country,  controlling  the  enemy's  movements,  and 
masking  his  own  designs.  All  these  purposes  were  ac 
complished  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner.  Day  after 
day  the  troops  were  pouring  in  from  (Jrand  (Julf,  our 
new  base  of  operations.  Koraging  parties  were  detailed 
in  all  the  regiments,  and  the  troops  were  noon  living 
better  than  they  had  done  for  many  a  day.  There 
was  soon  an  abundance  of  cooking  utensils  brought 
from  the  plantations;  negroes  and  mules  poured  in  to 
gether  in  great  numbers,  and  we  noon  had  everything 
which  could  draw  a  load  or  carry  a  burden,  including 
horses,  mules,  oxen  and  asses.  Kvery  wagon,  cart  and 
dray  and  many  buggies  and  carriages  were  pressed  into 
the  service,  and  we  soon  had  a  train  long  enough  to 
gratify  the  most  unreasonable  quartermaster.  A  part 
of  this  was  sent  back  to  (Jrand  (Julf  for  ammunition, 
and  the  rest  accompanied  the  army  in  its  daily  march. 
Detachments  scoured  the  country  in  every  direction 
and  at  night  each  division  encamped  in  line  of  battle. 

McClernand's  corps,  to  which  we  belonged,  moved 
on  the  route  to  Kdwards'  Depot,  a  station  on  the 
Vicksburg  and  Jackson  railroad  seven  miles  east  of 
Hlack  Kiver  Hridgc.  At  this  point  the  enemy  awaited 
us  in  force,  and  (Jen.  (Jrant  kept  up  the  appearance  of 
offering  battle  on  ground  of  the  rebel's  own  choosing, 
our  ai my  corps  pressing  steadily  on  until  our  advance 
came  upon  the  enemy's  pickets,  four  miles  from  the 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VKTKKAN  VOLVNTKKH  INFANTRY. 


19,'J 


railroad.  Here  we  were  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and 
bivouacked  for  the  night. 

Next  mm  m M"  the  entire  corps  moved  forward  in 
battle  array,  for  the  purpose,  as  we  supposed,  of  at 
tacking  the.  enemy.  (Jt'n.  Alvin  Hovey's  division  wan 
in  advance,  and  was  HOOII  deployed  in  front  of  the  reb 
els,  at  a  distance  of  about  two  miles.  'I'he  intervening 
distance  was  covered  with  heavy  timber  and  thick  un 
derbrush,  and  (ieneral  Hovey's  rear  was  rested  on  M 
road  running  parallel  to  UK-  railroad,  and  at  M-IM 
angles  to  the  one  upon  which  we  were  advancing.  To 
our  surprise  we  were  all  marched  oil'  rapidly  on  this 
right-hand  road,  in  rear  of  llovey's  division,  while  he 
remained  behind  to  amuse  the  enemy.  The  rebels 
never  detected  the  feint  until  we  were  miles  away 
towards  Jackson,  and  llovey's  division  had  rejoined 
the  corps. 

When  we  reached  Raymond,  the  bloody  battle  fought 
and  won  chietly  by  (Jen.  Logan's  division  was  already 
a  brilliant  Union  victory.  We  did  not.  participate,  but 
we  knew  now  why  we  had  tiled  oil'  to  the  right,  ami 
for  the  same  kind  of  purpose  we  marched  rapidly  on 
until  within  four  miles  of  Jackson,  when  the  glad 
news  came  back  that  the  Ktate  capital  had  also  fallen, 
and  without  our  assistance.  The  foe  was  now  annihi 
lated  on  our  route,  t blown  oil'  beyond  1'earl  river  in 
one  direction,  and  waiting  in  confused  astonishment 
near  Kdwards'  Station  in  the  other. 

It  was  but  the  work  of  a  few  hours  to  destroy  every 
thing  of  a  warlike  character  in  and  about  Jackson,  in 
cluding  the  railroad  to  Vickshurg ;  and  early  the  next 
day  the  entire  army  was  in  motion  back  toward  the 
Mississippi,  in  two  separate  columns— one  parallel  to 
and  near  the  railroad,  and  the  other  diverging  to  the 
right,  toward  the  Ya/oo  river.  (Jen.  Mc( 'lernand's 
corps  took  the  former  route,  and  of  course  the  .'Wrd 
went  with  it. 

Nothing  of  note  occurred  until  we  reached  the  vicin 
ity  again  of  Kd wards'  (Station.  Here  was  fought  one  of 
the  bloodiest  and  most  doggedly  ctm tested  battles  of  the 
war— " Champion  Hills".  (Jen.  Carr's  division  was 
in  reserve  until  late  in  the  day,  and  only  joined  the 
contest  a  short  time  before  the  enemy  gave  way.  I 
shall  not  attempt  a  description  of  the  battle  of  Cham- 
pion  Hills— it  would  take  many  pages  to  do  it  justice; 
but  as  the  pursuit  of  the  routed  enemy  was  chielly 
made  by  Carr's  division,  and  was  really  most  graphic 
in  all  its  accompaniments,  I  will  speak  of  it  somewhat 
in  detail. 

From  tiie  buttle  ground  to  Fdwards'  Station  is  about, 
six  miles,  and  both  parties  made  the  distance  in  tin; 
shortest  possible  time.  We  moved  along  the  road  and 
skirting  Melds,  while  I  be  enemy  lied  in  the  woods  upon 
our  left,  while  ever  and  anon  our  artillery  poured  in  him 
a  lire  of  shells.  The  rebels  had  a  train  on  the  track  near 
by,  which  was  rapidly  pushed  to  the  station,  where  it  ran 
"11  the  track  and  had  to  be  blown  up.  It  was  loaded 
with  stores  and  ammunition,  and  the  explosion  of  shells 
continued  until  a  late  hour  at  night.  When  we  readied 


the  depot  we  found  everything  of  any  value  on  lire; 
but  we  savetl  several  car  loads  of  commissary  supplies 
and  a  large  lot  of  small  arms.  It  was  now  10  o'clock 
at  night,  and  we  rested  until  morning. 

This  chase  was  the  most  exciting  I  ever  witnessed. 
Tin-  road  tht;  entire  distance  was  strewed,  and  even  ob 
structed,  by  abandoned  material  of  the  Hying  foe.  (inns, 
cartridge  boxes,  knapsacks,  blankets,  etc.,  etc.,  with  the 
bodies  of  many  tlead  and  wounded,  lay  upon  every 
band.  Upset  aitillery,  caissons,  ammunition  boxes  and 
dead  art illery  horses  lay  in  horrid  confusion  together. 
Our  skirmishers  in  the  advance,  to  prevent  an  ambush, 
though  tin  the  double-quick,  hardly  kept  ahead  of  our 
pursuing  artillery,  whilst  they  ever  and  anon  stopped 
for  a  few  minutes  to  pour  their  death-dealing  shells  in 
to  (he  Hying  rebels.  At  one  point-  the  ,'Cfrd  being 
in  advance  of  all  others  Col.  Lippincotl,  who,  with 
many  Held  and  stall'  olllcers,  had  ridden  some  yards 
ahead,  had  his  horse  shot  under  him  by  a  volley  of 
musketry  Hred  by  a  regiment  of  rebels  in  ambush. 
These  were  the  last  shots  fired  by  the  Hying  enemy. 
Our  loss  vas  Shiner  ami  Shores  of  C  Company. 

The  battle  of  Champion  Hills  was  fought  on  Satur 
day,  the  Kith  of  May.  Marly  on  the  morning  of  the 
17th  Oen.  Carr's  division  was  In  rapid  mareh  for  Hlack 
river  bridge,  followed  closely  by  that  of  (ien.  Oster- 
haus,  both  under  command  of  Major  ( Jenerul  McCler- 
nand  ;  and  long  before  sunrise  had  passed  over  half  the 
seven  miles  intervening  toward  Hlack  river.  From 
thence  the  advance  became  slow  and  cautious.  Skirm 
ishers  in  advance,  and  upon  both  Hanks,  scoured 
every  spot  which  could  conceal  an  enemy,  and  drove  in 
the  rebel  pickets.  Considerable  brisk  musketry  and 
some  artillery  firing  (from  our  side)  occurred,  before 
we  approached  the  vicinity  of  the  enemy's  works;  and 
by  the  time  we  were  ready  to  begin  the  attack,  it  was 
ten  o'clock. 

Hlack  river  bridge  crossed  the  stream  in  a  bend  of 
HM  river,  having  its  hollow  side  next  to  the  Union 
army  ;  and  the  rebel  defences  extended  in  an  irregular 
manner  across  the  peninsula,  both  Hanks  resting  on  the 
river.  The  works  consisted  of  continuous  earthworks 
and  cotton  bales,  and  long  rillc  pits  inside.  There  were 
nt)  heavy  siege  guns,  but  Held  artillery  of  heavy  calibre 
was  distributed  along  the  line,  protected  by  cotton. 
Through  the  center  ran  the  railroad  to  Vlcksburg,  and 
on  elevated  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  the 
enemy  had  his  heaviest  guns  and  a  large  portion  of  his 
army;  while  a  bridge  of  boats  furnished  him  the  means 
of  ready  communication. 

Having  formed  his  line  of  attack  ami  posted  his  ar 
tillery,  (ien.  McClernand  opened  the  alttack  shortly 
after  ten  o'clock,  with  cannon  and  sharpshooters,  (ien. 
Carr's  division  was  posted  with  its  left  Hank  resting  on 
the  railroad  in  the  following  order  from  the  left  :  .'t.'ird 
ami  '''Mli  Illinois,  iHth  anil  Hth  Indiana,  being  the  1st 
brigade,  and  commanded  by  (ien.  Henton  ;  and  the  llth 
Wisconsin,  ^.'ird,  i!-nd  and  -1st  Iowa,  constituting  Ihc 
.'n'l  brigade,  commanded  by  (ien.  Lawlcr.  Lawler's 


194 


THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN. 


right  extended  to  the  river.  Gen.  Osterhaus'  division 
was  posted  in  a  similar  manner  on  the  left  of  the  rail 
road. 

Details  of  skirmishers  from  the  various  regiments 
were  sent  forward,  with  orders  to  advance  as  near  as 
possible  to  the  enemy's  works,  to  pick  off  the  rebel 
cannoniers  and  artillery  horses,  and  to  reconnoiter  and 
ascertain  the  best  routes  for  assault.  The  ground  for  a 
third  of  a  mile  in  front  of  the  works  was  a  marshy  flat, 
and  free  from  timber.  The  troops  moved  up  to  the 
edge  of  the  opening  and  lay  flat  upon  the  ground, 
while  the  artillery  of  both  parties  fired  over  them.  For 
an  hour  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the  whi/zing  of  shells 
above  us  were  awful.  To  make  the  matter  worse  our 
artillery  was  tiring  shells  captured  from  the  enemy, 
and  they  proved  so  defective  that  we  were  in  constant 
danger  of  being  killed  by  our  gunners. 

Four  companies  of  the  33rd  were  acting  as  skirmish 
ers  and  sharpshooters.  An  account  of  these  will  give  a 
general  idea  of  this  hour's  fighting.  Some  of  them 
devoted  themselves  to  the  rebel  artillery  horses,  getting 
under  cover  in  some  ditch  or  tree  top,  and  firing  at 
nothing  else.  At  the  end  of  an  hour  the  rebels  had 
not  a  single  team  left  alive.  Others  crept  up  almost  to 
the  embrasures  and  shot  down  the  cannoniers  as  fast  as 
they  attempted  to  load.  The  balance,  from  the  various 
places  where  they  lay,  kept  their  eyes  along  their  rifles 
until  some  devoted  rebel  should  show  his  head  for  a 
second  above  the  works,  when  they  instantly  numbered 
him  with  the  dead. 

At  length  the  order  was  given  to  charge  the  rebel 
works  along  the  whole  line.  With  a  loud  shout  the 
whole  line  obeyed,  and  pushed  forward  to  the  rebel 
works.  Lawler's  brigade  reached  them  first.  They 
found  just  before  the  works— as  our  own  brigade  did 
also,  but  much  sooner — what  was  nearly  an  impassable 
natural  ditch,  from  five  to  fifteen  feet  broad,  and  full 
of  water,  reaching  within  a  few  inches  of  the  top  of 
the  perpendicular  banks.  How  the  2nd  brigade  ever 
managed  to  pass  this  obstruction,  I  never  expect  to  be 
able  to  understand.  Hut  they  did  pass  it;  and  although 
at  a  bloody  price,  they  were  soon  climbing  the  earth 
works  and  leaping  down  into  the  interior.  The  33rd 
tiled  round  the  end  of  the  ditch  by  the  left  flank,  along 
the  railroad — all  except  a  single  company  which  passed 
over  a  fallen  tree.  By  the  time  our  line  was  re-formed, 
the  loud  shouts  of  the  2nd  brigade  proclaimed  the  sur 
render  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction  ;  while  on  our 
left  we  .saw  our  companies  of  skirmishers  actually  leap 
ing  the  embankments  and  driving  the  rebel  cannoniers 
from  the  guns !  In  the  next  moment  loud  shouts  came 
from  Osterhaus'  men,  still  further  to  the  left,  and  we 
knew  the  rout  of  the  enemy  was  complete.  As  we 
leaped  into  the  enemy's  works  we  saw  a  train  pass  rap 
idly  over  the  railroad  bridge,  heard  a  loud  explosion, 
and  found  that  the  bridge  was  on  fire. 

I  think  a  portion  of  the  rebel  troops,  near  the  center, 
escaped  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  before  they  de 
stroyed  their  bridges;  but  they  secured  no  cannon.  We 


captured  18  pieces,  nine  of  which  were  taken  by  the 
four  companies  of  skirmishers  belonging  to  the  33rd 
111.  We  also  took  3,500  prisoners,  and  a  large  quantity 
of  very  welcome  commissary  stores. 

The  incidents  connected  with  this  brilliant  charge 
were  of  course  many,  and  some  of  them  very  indica 
tive.  The  rebel  soldiers  in  the  trenches  did  not  wait 
for  their  officers  to  surrender  them,  but  hundreds  of 
them  twisted  small  tufts  of  cotton  upon  the  ends  of 
their  ramrods  and  held  them  up  as  flags  of  truce.  But 
the  officers  were  nothing  loth  ;  they  surrendered  to  us 
whole  companies  and  regiments  at  once. 

The  8th  Indiana  took  a  cannon  with  the  following 
inscription:  "Captured  from  the  8th  Indiana  Volun 
teers  at  Pea  Ridge."  They  will  inscribe  under  it  the 
following:  "Re-captured  from  the  rebels  at  Black 
River  Bridge,  by  the  same  8th  Indiana." 

Gen.  Carr's  loss  in  this  engagement,  in  both  bri 
gades,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  about  240  men. 

We  spent  the  balance  of  the  day  in  dislodging  the 
enemy  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  and  gather 
ing  materials  from  the  unburned  trestle  work  of  the 
railroad  bridge  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  floating 
bridge  for  ourselves. 

In  the  meantime,  Gen.  Sherman's  corps  was  already 
over  the  Black  river,  having  crossed  some  miles  higher 
up,  in  the  direction  of  Mains'  Bluff'.  By  six  o'clock 
next  day,  the  18th,  our  bridge  was  finished  and  our 
army  crossing.  It  consisted  here  of  McClernand's  and 
most  of  McPherson's  corps,  and  the  crossing  was  not 
completed  until  past  noon.  It  was  twelve  miles  to 
Vicksburg;  when  we  had  marched  eight  miles  we  sud 
denly  left  the  direct  route,  and  passing  rapidly  off  to 
the  left,  reached  our  camping  ground  for  the  night  at 
a  distance  of  about  four  miles  from  the  railroad.  We 
encamped  in  battle  array,  in  a  very  strong  position, 
ready  to  move  up  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  in  the 
morning. 

On  the  morning  of  the  1Mb.  of  May  Gen.  Grant's 
army  moved  forward  for  the  investment  of  Vicksburg. 
The  news  soon  spread  along  the  lines  that  Gen.  Sher 
man's  corps  had  possession  of  Hains'  Bluff  and  Chick- 
asaw  bayou,  and  that  the  gunboats  had  driven  the 
enemy  from  about  Warrentown — thus  giving  us  a 
double  base  upon  the  river,  above  and  below  Vicks 
burg.  The  soldiers  were  mad  with  delight.  The  object 
of  all  their  toils  was  almost  in  their  grasp,  and  there 
was  an  almost  universal  disposition  to  move  right  for 
ward  and  take  the  city  by  assault,  at  whatever  cost. 

Maj.  Gen.  McClernand's  corps  took  position  on  both 
sides  of  the  railroad,  to  the  left  of  the  center  of  the  in 
vesting  lines.  Our  own  regiment  consisted  now  of  but 
nine  companies,  Company  B,  Capt.  Gill,  being  left  be 
hind  at  Black  River  Bridge  in  charge  of  the  cannon 
captured  from  the  enemy  by  the  33rd.  The  day  was 
spent  in  getting  the  artillery  into  position  and  in  post 
ing  the  various  regiments  in  the  most  advantageous 
positions — of  which  an  account  of  our  own  movements 
will  give  a  good  idea  of  the  whole. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


105 


The  country  for  many  miles  around  Vicksburg  is  of 
the  same  quaternary  clay  as  the  bluffs  at  Alton,  Illi 
nois.  It  is  hard  to  conceive  of  anything  more  broken 
and  uneven.  Ridges  and  ravines  or  gorges,  of  greater 
or  less  extent,  make  up  the  entire  region  covered  by  the 
rebel  works,  and  back  far  beyond  the  rear  of  our  own 
lines.  Were  the  ground  in  front  of  the  forts  a  plain, 
their  position  would  be  almost  impregnable.  But  for 
tunately  for  us  it  is  just  like  that  which  they  occupy, 
and  as  favorable  for  attack  as  theirs  is  for  defense.  Of 
course,  therefore,  we  were  to  occupy  the  valleys  and 
gorges.  These,  as  a  general  rule,  run  nearly  parallel  to 
the  front  lines  of  the  rebel  works,  though  they  are  ex 
ceedingly  irregular.  The  problem,  therefore,  was  to 
work  forward  from  one  to  another  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  be  least  exposed  to  the  enemy's  shot. 

Gen.  Carr's  division  was  distributed  in  such  a  man 
ner  that  the  railroad  cut  it  in  two,  and  the  road  was 
swept  by  the  rebel  guns.  By  four  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  we  had  worked  our  way  from  hollow  to  hollow 
until  we  were  near  enough  for  rifle  range ;  and  with 
the  rest  of  our  brigade,  detailed  a  portion  of  our  com 
panies  as  sharpshooters,  while  the  regiment,  by  lying 
very  close  to  the  ground,  endeavored  to  give  shells  and 
minie  balls  an  unobstructed  passage.  It  was  the 
business  of  the  sharpshooters— and  I  must  add,  the 
pleasure,  also— to  climb  to  the  top  of  the  hill  and  pick 
off  the  rebel  gunners  with  their  rifles ;  and  even  at  this 
long  range  they  soon  made  it  difficult  for  the  enemy  to 
load  his  pieces.  By  sunset  our  artillery  had  nearly  all 
got  into  position,  and  the  day  closed  with  the  thunder 
ing  of  cannon  along  our  whole  front,  from  Warrentown 
to  Chickasaw  bayou. 

When  night  had  fairly  set  in  our  rations  were  sent  to 
us  already  cooked  ;  and  this  was  necessary  thencefor 
ward,  as  communication  by  daylight  was  difficult  and 
dangerous.  During  the  night  artillery  was  advanced  to 
better  positions,  which  had  been  selected  in  the  day  time  ; 
and  ammunition  was  distributed.  It  will  be  seen  that 
the  usual  custom  of  relieving  weary  regiments  with  fresh 
ones  was  hardly  practicable  here.  It  cost  too  much  diffi 
culty  and  danger  to  get  onto  our  advanced  positions  ;  and 
once  there,  we  only  pressed  forward  as  others  came  up. 

The  morning  of  the  20th  opened  with  a  most  furious 
cannonade  from  both  sides ;  while  minie  balls  were 
whistling  over  the  ridge  into  the  hollow  where  we  lay 
in  anything  but  harmonious  music.  But  the  number 
of  casualties  was  so  small  as  to  be  surprising.  About 
ten  o'clock,  we  were  ordered  to  pass  into  the  next  hol 
low,  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  nearer  the  enemy.  To 
do  so  we  had  to  pass  an  exposed  place  which  was  swept 
by  a  rebel  battery.  Capt.  Kellogg,  Company  C,  had  a 
strong  presentiment  that  he  would  be  killed  in  making 
this  passage,  and  he  coolly  arranged  all  his  business 
matters  with  his  Orderly  Sergeant,  appointing  him  his 
administrator,  and  desiring  his  body  to  be  sent  home. 
I  saw  him  just  as  we  began  the  passage  and  he  was 
cool  and  courageous  as  ever.  We  moved  by  the  right 
flank  across  the  railroad  on  the  double-quick,  where,  to 


my  surprise,  we  were  not  fired  upon.  We  then  filed  to 
the  left  and  attempted  to  pass  into  the  next  hollow  over 
the  lowest  and  least  exposed  point,  and  though  we  were 
now  nearly  concealed  by  a  thicket,  we  received  a  heavy 
volley  of  grapeshot  right  in  our  midst.  I  looked 
around  to  see  who  of  our  brave  boys  had  fallen  ;  but  all 
appeared  to  have  escaped.  A  few  yards  further  on,  as 
we  descended  into  the  hollow,  an  officer  close  to  me  fell 
dead;  it  was  Capt.  Kellogg.  One  more  killed,  and  I 
think  one  wounded,  constituted  our  whole  loss  in  this 
advance. 

The  99th  111.  and  the  18th  Ind.  were  now  all  with  us  in 
our  new  position  ;  and  from  the  time  we  went  into  it 
the  humming  of  minie  balls  about  our  heads  never 
ceased;  but  by  "hugging  the  windward  shores"  we 
generally  managed  to  escape  them.  By  way  of  variety, 
the  rebels  also  succeeded  in  dropping  an  occasional  shell 
amongst  us.  Many  were  also  hurt  by  the  bursting  pre 
maturely  over  our  heads  of  our  own  shells  from  the  ar 
tillery  behind.  We  remained  in  this  hollow  until  ten 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22nd.  A  part  of  the  reg 
iment  was  constantly  on  duty  as  sharpshooters.  They 
dug  rifle  pits  along  the  crest  of  the  hill  at  night,  and  in 
the  day  time  they  made  it  so  hot  for  the  rebel  cannon- 
iers  that  they  seldom  fired  a  gun.  The  moment  one  of 
them  appeared  at  an  embrasure,  he  was  picked  off'  by  a 
dozen  minie  balls.  This  was  also  pretty  much  the  case 
with  the  rebel  infantry  behind  the  breastworks;  it  was 
almost  certain  death  for  any  of  them  to  show  their  heads. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  21st,  Gen.  McClernand  sent 
an  order  and  full  instructions,  through  subordinate  gen 
erals,  to  the  various  regiments,  to  charge  the  rebel 
works  the  next  day  at  10  o'clock.  During  the  night  a 
few  picked  men  from  each  regiment  reconnoitered  the 
ground  to  be  passed  over,  cartridges  were  distributed 
and  every  preparation  made  for  the  assault. 

Promptly  by  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22nd, 
Gen.  Carr's  division  moved  forward  to  the  assault,  and 
it  soon  became  general  along  the  whole  line.  But  any 
thing  like  a  description  of  that  long  line  of  attack  is 
simply  impossible.  In  Carr's  division  the  various  reg 
iments  determined  by  lot  their  line  of  advance  and 
point  of  attack  ;  but  these  all  had  a  common  resemblance 
in  requiring  the  advancing  party  to  pass  over  several 
points  raked  or  completely  covered  by  the  rebel  batter 
ies,  and  in  requiring  the  attack  of  almost  inaccessible 
works.  In  working  from  hollow  to  hollow,  the  33rd 
passed  the  places  covered  by  the  enemy's  guns  on  the 
double-quick.  Of  course,  therefore,  they  did  not  stop 
to  return  the  enemy's  fire.  At  one  point  the  storm  of 
grape  and  minie  balls  was  so  terrible  as  to  .divide  the 
regiment,  several  companies  taking  shelter  for  a  few 
moments  upon  the  ground  along  the  railroad  track. 
This  was  really  no  shelter,  however,  and  they  soon 
moved  forward  under  the  Lieutenant  Colonel  for  the 
purpose  of  overtaking  the  regiment ;  but  that  officer  fell 
before  the  men  had  advanced  to  the  most  exposed  posi 
tion,  and  being  unable  to  rise  was  reported  and  believed 
killed.  The  company  officers  soon  conducted  their  men 


THE 


CAMPAIGN. 


by  a  round-about  and  less  exposed  route,  and  they  re 
joined  the  regiment.  About  this  time  Col.  Lippineott 
was  thrown  down  by  a  minie  ball  striking  his  heel. 
Col.  Shunk,  of  the  8th  Indiana,  being  close  by,  shouted, 
"Come  on,  my  brave  33rd-ers !  I  will  lead  you."  He 
was  answered  with  a  cheer;  but  Col.  Lippineott  him 
self  now  came  up,  not  much  hurt. 

From  this  time  forward  the  fight  became  a  melee. 
The  Union  soldiers  rushed  forward 

"Into  the  jaws  of  death— into  the  gates  of  hell/' 
and  finding  their  way  to  the  rebel  rifle  pits  engaged  the 
rebels  there.  They  climbed  up  the  walls  of  the  forts; 
they  fired  into  the  embrasures ;  and  they  dislodged  the 
rebels  from  some  of  the  works  and  attempted  to  occupy 
them,  but  other  works  in  the  rear  drove  them  out  with 
a  murderous  fire.  And  thus  the  varying  struggle  con 
tinued  until  darkness  put  an  end  to  it.  The  artillery  of 
either  side  was  of  little  use,  for  it  could  not  fire  with 
out  hurting  its  own  friends. 

The  destruction  of  life  in  this  eight  hours'  struggle 
was  awful.  Three  days  afterward  the  rebels  asked  a 
truce  to  bury  the  dead,  and  both  parties  gathered  bod 
ies  at  once  from  the  same  field.  This  enabled  us  to 
know  that  our  losses  were  nearly  equal. 

When  night  put  an  end  to  the  contest,  the  rebels  re- 
entered  their  works,  and  the  Union  soldiers  withdrew  to 
the  ground  occupied  before  the  advance. 


I  make  no  comments  on  this  assault,  though  the  field 
for  comment  is  broad. 

Of  the  regiment  I  have  nothing  to  say ;  it  has  written 
its  brave  deed  on  the  page  of  history  in  blood.  But, 
altogether,  no  regiment  was  ever  better  officered.  Col. 
Lippineott  is  a  brave  and  dashing,  but  cool  and  careful 
commander.  May  he  soon  fill  a  higher  position  which 
he  is  so  competent  to  honor.  Maj.  Potter  your  readers 
all  know.  Capt.  Moore  is  the  same  composed  and  de 
termined  man  upon  the  battlefield  which  he  was  in  the 
Normal  University.  Lieut.  Lewis,  of  Company  G,  is 
worthy  the  brave  boys  he  now  commands  and  is  well 
supported  by  Lieut  Fifer.  These  are  all  McLean  coun 
ty  men,  hence  I  have  mentioned  them  by  name;  and 
the  highest  praise  I  can  give  to  the  other  officers  is  to 
say,  they  are  equal  to  these.  Surgeon  Rex  and  Chap 
lain  Eddy  are  a  host  in  themselves.  Dr.  Rex  is  beyond 
question  the  ablest  surgeon  in  the  division,  and  the 
Chaplain,  as  an  assistant,  is  equal  to  another  sur 
geon. 

My  long  article  is  done.  I  have  not  knowingly  done 
injustice  to  anybody ;  and  I  have  not  pretended  to  give 
full  details.  In  conclusion— Our  flags  are  riddled  with 
bullets ;  when  we  get  new  ones,  as  we  must,  we  will  be 
allowed  to  inscribe  them— Fredericktown,  Bayou  Cache, 
Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge, 
Vicksburg.  R. 


PART  II 


REPORT  OF  SECRETARY-TREASURER 
ROSTER  OF  THE  LIVING 

ROLL  OF  THE  DEAD 
REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES 


THE  UNION  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

ROBERT    G.     INGERSOLL 

"They  kept  our  country  on  the  map  of  the  world; 

They  kept  our  flag  in  the  air; 
They  vindicated  the  truth  of  the  great  declaration — that  all  men  are  created  equal. 


THE  AMERICAN  FLAG. 


"Consider  the  beautiful  red  stripes  an  emblem  of  valor; 
the  white  an  emblem  of  purity;  the  blue  field  the  broad  arch 
of  hepven ;  and  the  stars  that  bestud  it  the  best  government 
on  earth." — Hannibal  llamlin. 


THE  FLAG. 

By  W.  D.  NESBIT. 

Your  flag  and  my  flag — 

And  how  it  flies  to-day  ! 
In  your  land  and  my  land, 
And  half  a  world  away  ! 
Rose-red  and  blood-red, 

The  stripes  forever  gleam  ; 
Snow-white  and  soul-white — 

The  good  forefathers'  dream  ; 

Sky  blue  and  true  blue,  with  stars  to  shine  aright— 
The  glorified  guidon  of  the  day,  a  shelter  through  the  night. 

Your  flag  and  my  flag  ! 

And,  oh,  how  much  it  holds! 
Your  land  and  my  land 

Secure  within  its  folds  ! 
Your  heart  and  my  heart 

Beat  quicker  at  the  sight  — 
Sun-kissed  and  wind-tossed — 

Red  and  blue  and  white; 

The  one  flag— the  great  flag — the  flag  for  me  and  you — 
Glorified  all  else  beside— the  red  and  white  and  blue! 

Your  flag  and  my  flag — 
To  every  star  and  stripe 

The  drums  beat  as  hearts  beat, 
And  fifers  shrilly  pipe. 

Your  flag  and  my  flag — 
A  blessing  in  the  sky  ! 

Your  hope  and  my  hope- 
It  never  hid  a  lie  ! 

Home  land  and  far  land,  and  half  the  world  around, 
Old  Glory  hears  the  great  salute  and  flutters  to  the  sound  ! 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


199 


JAMES  H.  FLECKER,  "E"  COMPANY. 
1864. 


JAMES  H.  PLECKER,  1900. 
President  of  the  33rd  III.  Veteran  Association. 


VIRGIL  G.  WAY,  "B"  COMPANY. 

1864. 


VIRGIL  G.  WAY,  1002. 

Secretary-Treasurer  of  the  33rd  111.  Veteran 
Association,  and  compiler  of  the  History 
of  the  Regiment. 


200 


REPORT  OF  SECRET AE  Y-TREASURER. 


REPORT  OF  THE  SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION 
AS  TO  THE  PUBLICATION  OF  THE  HISTORY. 


At  a  called  meeting  of  the  33rd  Illinois  Infantry  As 
sociation,  held  in  Chicago,  111.,  August  27th,  1!HX),  at 
the  U.  S.  Grant  Post  room,  the  officers  of  the  Associa 
tion— E.  M.  Pike  of  A  Company,  President,  and  Wil 
liam  J.  Bishop  of  C  Company,  Secretary — not  being 
present,  J.  H.  Flecker  of  E  Company  and  V.  G.  Way 
of  B  Company  were  chosen  President  and  Secretary  of 
the  meeting.  This  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  on  the 
28th  of  August  at  the  same  place  to  reorganize  the  asso 
ciation.  At  this  meeting  upwards  of  ninety  comrades 
were  present.  The  temporary  organization  was  made 
permanent,  with  this  change:  The  Secretary  was  made 
Treasurer  of  the  Association. 

Upon  examination  of  the  roster  of  the  association  it 
was  found  to  be  very  inaccurate.  Of  the  500  or  more 
names  enrolled,  hardly  one-half  of  them  were  correct  as 
to  enrollment  and  post  office  address.  By  resolution  the 
Secretary  was  instructed  to  issue  a  new  roster  of  the 
living  and  the  dead ;  also  to  publish  with  it  as  much 
regimental  history  as  possible.  To  perfect  this  roster 
and  enable  the  Secretary  to  secure  data  for  the  histori 
cal  record,  a  comrade  from  each  company  was  elected 
to  assist  in  the  work.  To  the  earnest  and  well  directed 
efforts  of  these  assistants  the  Secretary  is  much  indebt 
ed  for  the  accuracy  of  this  work. 

To  meet  the  preliminary  expenses  of  publishing  the 
roster  a  fund  of  §34.75  was  raised  by  donation.  To  this 
was  added  the  funds  in  Secretary  Bishop's  hands, 
amounting  to  §13.21,  making  available  for  the  publica 
tion  of  the  roster  S47.!»(i. 

President  Plecker,  upon  learning  the  amount  of  his 
torical  material  in  hand  and  the  desire  of  the  comrades 
for  a  more  extended  work  than  the  one  proposed  at 
Chicago,  called  a  meeting  of  the  Association  in  Peoria, 
111.,  on  May  loth,  '11)01.  This  meeting  was  well  attend 
ed  and  much  interest  shown  in  the  work.  The  Secre 
tary  reported  that  from  data  in  his  hands  and  assistance 
promised  it  was  possible  to  publish  a  fair  historical 
record  of  the  regiment.  The  Secretary  was  instructed 
to  publish  the  best  record  possible  for  the  amount  of 
money  available,  it  being  understood  that  no  comrade 
should  receive  any  financial  compensation  for  his  ser 
vices.  Until  this  meeting  it  was  intended  to  publish 
the  roster  in  pamphlet  form  with  leatherette  covers,  150 
pages  in  si/e,  at  a  cost  of  one  dollar  per  copy.  The 


comrades  at  the  Peoria  meeting  raised  §20  to  add  to  the 
preliminary  expense  fund.  The  work  as  then  outlined 
included  a  sketch  of  the  "Field  and  Staff'",  written  by 
Col.  Elliott,  and  a  sketch  of  each  company,  to  be 
written  by  some  member  of  that  company.  The  Secre 
tary  made  every  effort  possible  to  secure  these  sketches. 
The  effort  was  successful,  with  the  exception  of  Com 
panies  D,  F  and  I,  although  F  sketch  was  promised 
and  the  data  furnished  for  it.  Why  it  was  not  sent  to 
me  I  cannot  say.  The  sketches  of  D  and  I  Companies 
were  written  by  the  Secretary  from  data  in  his  posses 
sion,  not  so  much  as  sketches  but  as  explanations  of 
the  rosters  accompanying  them. 

Col.  Elliott  met  by  appointment  the  officers  of  the 
Association  at  Chicago  in  July,  1901,  for  the  purpose  of 
examining  the  work  in  its  completed  and  proposed 
state,  and  learning  of  the  available  material  for  use  in 
writing  the  "Historical  Roster";  also  as  to  its  scope, 
si/e  and  financial  prospects.  Col.  Elliott  promised  that 
if  he  was  permitted  to  withdraw  his  sketch  of  the  Field 
and  Staff  from  publication  and  the  available  material 
and  data  furnished  to  him,  he  would  write  the  General 
History  of  the  regiment,  to  be  published  in  connection 
with  the  roster.  He  has  fully  complied  with  that 
promise 

About  this  time  letters  were  received  from  several  of 
the  officers  of  the  regiment,  proposing  to  place  the  pic 
tures  in  uniform  of  the  regimental  officers  in  the  work, 
this  to  be  done  at  the  expense  of  the  officers  as  a  gift  to 
the  comrades.  This  proposition  was  submitted  to  the 
comrades  assembled  at  the  State  Fair  in  September, 
11)01 ;  also  a  correspondence  was  had  with  those  directly 
interested  in  the  publication  of  the  work.  Nearly  all 
advised  acceptance  of  the  offer.  It  was  also  deemed 
advisable  to  extend  the  privilege  of  placing  pictures  in 
the  work  to  those  who  had  been  promoted  from  the 
33rd  Illinois  to  be  officers  in  other  regiments  and  to 
tnose  who  had  taken  an  active  part  in  preparing  the 
work  for  publication.  Later  on,  at  the  request  of  a 
number  of  comrades,  the  privilege  of  placing  pictures 
was  accorded  to  any  member  of  the  regiment  who 
would  pay  the  expense  of  the  work  in  so  doing.  These 
changes,  with  the  addition  of  Col.  Elliott's  work,  and 
the  reminiscences,  increased  the  si/e  to  its  present 
form.  After  Col.  Elliott  had  so  kindly  -donated  his 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


201 


work  and  the  officers  their  pictures,  it  was  thought  best 
to  preserve  the  record  by  placing  it  in  good  substantial 
covers. 

In  compiling  the  rosters  of  enlistments,  discharges 
and  accidents,  the  Adjutant  General's  Report  of  Illi 
nois  in  the  Civil  War  was  used  as  a  basis.  This  was 
corrected  by  reference  to  company  muster  rolls,  dis 
charges,  company  charts,  and  company  records.  Much 
material,  as  incidents,  had  been  sent  to  us.  It  was 
good  and  worth  a  place  in  the  work,  but  owing  to  lim 
ited  space  only  part  of  it  could  be  used. 

The  publication  of  this  work  has  been  made  possible 
only  by  the  continued,  earnest  and  universal  efforts  of 
the  comrades  in  giving  their  time,  literary  ability  and 
financial  aid  towards  its  success.  Furthermore,  to  make 
it  possible  for  the  officers  of  the  association  to  publish 
this  work,  several  of  the  comrades  pledged  themselves 
to  aid  in  meeting  any  financial  deficits  that  may  arise 
in  its  publication,  it  being  the  intention  to  place  the 
work  in  the  comrades'  hands  at  as  near  cost  as  possible. 
The  Secretary,  in  whose  hands  the  work  has  mainly 
been,  having  had  no  previous  experience  in  publishing, 
wishes  to  say  that  the  over  two  years'  time  given  to  the, 
work  have  been  very  trying  ones  indeed,  but  he  does 
not  regret  the  sacrifice,  as  he  counts  it  among  the  best 
years  of  his  life  work.  Comrades  Flecker,  Prosser, 
Lewis,  Button,  Burnham,  Pike,  Dickerman,  Barrer, 


Follett  and  Heartt  have  aided  greatly  by  advice  and  en 
couragement  when  the  success  of  the  work  seemed  an 
impossibility.  The  clouds  of  gloom  and  disappointment 
were  rent  asunder  by  their  cheerful,  assuring  words  of 
aid  and  sympathy.  Many  of  the  comrades  in  writing 
would  enclose  money  or  postage  stamps ;  if  they  said 
anything  about  the  enclosure  it  would  be,  "use  for  the 
cause".  Often  these  letters  came  when  the  Secretary's 
spirits  were  at  their  lowest  ebb.  The  letters  caused  a 
renewed  effort  on  his  part,  with  the  result  now  before 
you. 

The  Association  is  greatly  indebted  to  the  publishers 
of  the  Bloomington,  111.,  "Pantagraph"  for  the  use  of 
their  valuable  newspaper  files.  These  files  were  cheer 
fully  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Secretary,  from  which 
he  copied  letters  that  were  written  at  the  front  shortly 
after  the  occurrence  of  the  incidents  narrated,  by  Lieut. 
Col.  E.  R.  Roe,  Chaplain  H.  J.  Eddy,  Capt.  E.  J. 
Lewis,  Sergt.  E.  M.  Pike,  and  others.  These  letters 
covered,  in  time,  the  entire  life  of  the  regiment,  and 
vividly  portrayed  many  of  the  battle  scenes  through 
which  the  regiment  passed.  The  data  they  furnished 
could  not  have  been  obtained  from  any  other  source. 
Their  accuracy  is  beyond  question.  The  "Pantagraph" 
was  the  sincere  friend  of  the  regiment  during  its  life, 
and  thus  again  its  friendship  is  shown  for  the  comrades 
and  their  association.  V.  G.  WAY. 


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THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


203 


ROSTER  OF  THE  LIVING. 

NAMES  AND  PRESENT  POST  OFFICE  ADDRESSES. 


"One  by  one  our  comrades  are  falling ; 
Our  ranks  grow  thinner  as  the  years  go  by ; 
Soon  the  messenger  will  be  calling 
With  a  summons  for  you  and  T. " 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Colonel  Isaac  H.  Elliott,  Dexter,  New  Mexico,  Chaves 

county. 

Adjutant  Frederick  M.  Crandall,  Aberdeen,  Wash. 
Adjutant  E.  Aaron  Gove,  Denver,  Colorado. 
Adjutant  Duncan  G.  Ingraham,  Waitsburg,  Wash. 
Quartermaster  Richard  B.  Fulks,  Beardstown,  Illinois. 
Second    Asst.    Surgeon    Oliver    P.    Rex,    Philadelphia, 

Pa.,  care  Pennsylvania  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co. 

NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Sergeant  Major  John  Leys,  Eureka,  111. 

Sergeant  Major  Charles  E.  Wilcox,  Flora  Home,  Fla. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  Elmer  Washburn,  Chicago,  111., 
4559  Woodlawn  Ave. 

Commissary  Sergeant  Luther  H.  Prosser,  Wykoff,  Minn. 

Hospital  Steward  Brice  Suffield,  Danville,  111.,  213  W. 
Harrison  St. 

Hospital  Steward  Jehu  Little,  Bloomington,  111. 

Bugler  Luther  J.  Clark,  Mexico,  New  York. 

Drum  Major  William  C.  Rails,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Milwau 
kee,  Wis. 

Fife  Major  Joseph  L.  Kitchen,  Harvey,  111. 

Fife  Major  Bradford  J.  Wakeman,  Chebanse,  111. 

Principal  Musician  Piercy  Dickinson,  Lynnville,  111. 

REGIMENTAL  BAND. 

Charles  S.  Elder,  Chenoa,  Illinois. 

Charles  A.  Kitchen,  Rockford,  Illinois. 

George  Loman,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

George  Dunkle,  Chicago,  Illinois,  759  43rd  Place. 

F.  W.  Milliken,  Lyndon,  Illinois. 

J.  W.  Powley,  Chicago,  Illinois,  4617  Emerald  Ave. 

"A"  COMPANY. 

Captain  G.  Hyde  Norton,  Eustis,  Florida. 
Captain  J.  Howard  Burnham,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
Captain   Harvey  J.   Dutton,  Springfield,  Missouri,    800 
South  St. 


Edward  Allyn,  Clinton,  Illinois. 
F.  B.  Augustus,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
John  J.  Bloom,  Atkinson,  Illinois. 
David  Bigger,  Wilcox,  Nebraska. 
Benjamin  P.  Conroy,  Bloomer,  Wisconsin. 

C.  M.  Crocker,  Guthrie,  O.  T. ,  care  School  Land  Dept. 

D.  D.  Carpenter,  McPherson,  Kansas. 

Chauncy  A.  Chamberlain,  West  Seneca,  New  York. 

S.  W.  Durflinger,  London,  Ohio. 

Luke  Dickerman,  Stillman  Valley,  Illinois. 

John  Enlow,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

S.  B.  Farwell,  Osborne,  Kansas. 

Oliver  H.  Frink,  Shenandoah,  Iowa. 

Samuel  Ferris,  Wilsey,  Kansas. 

George  D.  Finch,  Farmer  City,  Illinois. 

James  H.  Fritzlan,  Carlisle,  Indiana. 

C.  E.  Huston,  Agness,  Oregon,  Curry  Co. 

A.  E.  Hubbard,  Lyndon,  Illinois. 

W.  H.  Harris,  Stillman  Valley,  Illinois. 

Charles  Hanger,  Grannet,  Oklahoma  Territory. 

E.  D.  Harris,  Bethany,  Nebraska. 
W.  J.  Hester,  Chenoa,  Illinois. 
Gus  Hulsizer,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

J.  D.  King,  Wayne,  Nebraska. 

Francis  R.  King,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Charles  E.  Loring,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 

Norris  D.  Lyle,  Castleton,  Iowa. 

A.  O.  Marshal,  Joliet,  Illinois. 

C.  D.  Montgomery,  Claflin,  Kansas. 

William  E.  Muntz,  Ancona,  Illinois. 

Robert  McGilliard,  Italy,  New  York. 

Dawson  Newton,  Bellevue,  Colorado. 

F.  W.  Peverley,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Leavenworth,   Kansas. 
E.  M.  Pike,  Chenoa,  Illinois. 

Randolph  A.  Pike,  Boston,  Mass.,  92  State  St. 

P.  H.  Philips,  Judsonia,  Arkansas,  White  county. 

Allen  W.  Piney,  Council  Bluff's,  Iowa. 

Prine  Riggs,  Sodus,  New  York. 

R.  P.  Reynolds,  Walla  Walla,  Washington. 


204 


ROSTER  OF  THE  LIVING. 


Samuel  Smith,  Carbondale,  Illinois. 

H.  W.  Smith,  Partridge,  Kansas. 

R.  M.  Spradling,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

Thomas  Scott,  Kansas  City,  Kansas. 

Alexander  E.  Scott,  Toledo,  Ohio. 

A.  K.  Smith,  Wymore,  Nebraska. 

James  T.  Stafford,  Courtland,  Kansas. 

Edwin  Scranton,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Los  Angeles,  California. 

George  W.  Simpson,  Arkansas  City,  Kansas. 

Joseph  F.  Tunnicliff'e,  Bingham,  Iowa. 

H.  A.  Whitney,  Carbondale,  Illinois. 

William  H.  Whitted,  Doland,  South  Dakota. 

John  C.  Waldron,  Richie,  Illinois. 

Charles  E.  Wilcox,  Flora  Home,  Florida. 

Thomas  U.  Whiffln,  Dewitt,  Nebraska. 

John  Wilson,  Leon,  Iowa. 

John  K.  Wood,  Holder,  Illinois. 

J.  W.  Youngman,  Independence,  Mo. 

"E"  COMPANY. 

Captain  C.  Judson  Gill,  Riverside,  California. 

Captain  Nelson  G.  Gill,  San  Bernardino,  California. 

1st  Lieutenant  Edward  T.  Durant,  Waterville,  Kansas. 

2nd  Lieutenant  Newton  G.  B.  Brown,  Moran,  Kansas. 

Charles  G.    Austin,  Simi,  California,   Ventura  county. 

Giles  Andrus,  Little  Beaver,  Missouri. 

R.  Mich.  Aiken,  Nelson,  Nebraska. 

William  Biggs,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

Charles  W.  Bailey,  Lottsville,  Pennsylvania. 

Luther  J.  Clark,  Mexico,  New  York. 

Edward  Clifford,  Downers  Grove,  Illinois. 

Theo.  F.  Coffey,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  606  W.  Mill  St. 

Alonzo    B.     Chatfield,     Washington,     D.    C.,    Register 

Office,  Treas.  Dept. 
William  Cotes,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 

E.  N.  Cunningham,  Valparaiso,  Nebraska. 
George  W.  Chatfield,  Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Robert  Church,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 

George  W.  Dewey,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

William  E.  Durant,  Clay  Center,  Kansas. 

Daniel  Donavan,  Reed  City,  Michigan. 

Levi  T.  Ellis,  Topeka,  Kansas. 

Cyrus  Fetterman,  Germantown,  Nebraska. 

George  Fezler,  Murrietta,  California. 

F.  J.  T.  Fisher,  Elmhurst,  Illinois. 
Walter  A.  Fell,  Toulon,  Illinois. 
Hugh  Y.  Godfrey,  Fontana,  Wisconsin. 
Alvin  Golley,  Nelson,  Nebraska. 

Fred  Holtzkampf,  Chicago,  Illinois,  139  Cornelia  St. 

William  Hall,  Pawnee,  Nebraska. 

E.  P.  Hatch,  La  Grange,  Illinois. 

Walter  T.  Hall,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

George  B.  Heartt,  Downers  Grove,  Illinois. 

L.  D.  Hess,  Pratt,  Kansas. 

David  H.  Holmes,  What  Cheer,  Iowa. 

Lawrence  Jacobsen,  Dorchester,  Nebraska. 

Wallace  D.  Johnson,  Peabody,  Kansas. 

Samuel  H.  Jones,  Kewanee,  Illinois. 

James  M.  Jones,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Charles  H.  Keys,  Bronson,  Kansas. 

Ethelbert  Kalb,  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Leopold  A.  Kempin,  Corning,  Kansas. 

James  B.  McCampbell,  Green  Ridge,  Missouri. 

Charles  McCotter,  Kipton,  Ohio. 

William  J.  McClintock,  Gardner,  Kansas. 

A.  C,  Miller,  Pawnee,  Nebraska. 

James  A.  Owen,  Little  Beaver,  Missouri. 

Archibald  Porter,  Neosho,  Missouri,  Newton  county. 

Lucius  Rogers,  Bagley,  Iowa. 

Roger  Ridge,  Bethel,  Minnesota. 

William  K.  Robbins,  Overton,  Nebraska. 

Martin  Stark,  Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Charles  E.  Shinn,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

Philip  Sipe,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

John  H.  Stickney,  Toulon,  Illinois. 

James  M.  Tourtelott,  Sioux  Falls,  So.  Dak.,  313  1st  Ave. 

John  W.  Upperman,  Cleo,  Oklahoma  Territory. 

Dewit  C.  Wilson,  Aurora,  Illinois. 

Joseph  E.  Weed,  Riverside,  California. 

Frank  Weed,  Riverside,  California. 

John  Whitley,  Oakford,  Illinois. 

Charles  E.  Wadleigh,  Green  Ridge,  Missouri. 

George  E.  Whitman,  Fitzgerald,  Georgia. 

Virgil  G.  Way,  Proctor,  Illinois. 

"C"  COMPANY. 

Captain    Edward  J.  Lewis,   Bloomington,   Illinois,  208 

East  Kelsey  St. 

1st  Lieutenant  A.  L.  Bush,  Escondido,  California. 
2nd  Lieutenant  George  W.  Jones,  McLean,  Illinois 
Wm.  W.  Bastnett,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Danville,   Illinois. 
J.  L.  Brown,  Kearney,  Nebraska. 
Wm.  H.  Ball,  Downs,  Illinois. 
Robt.  M.  Benson,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
Philip  Y.  Benson,  Hudson,  Illinois. 
Ira  J.  Bloomfield,  Monte  Vista,  Colorado. 
Benajah   Brigham,  Bloomington,  111.,   706   E.  Bell  St. 
Fletcher  Brigham,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
Robert  W.  Cleary,  Toledo,  Ohio,  322  Locust  St. 
Thomas    E.    Cutting,    Highland    Park,    Tennessee,    402 

Baily  Ave. 

John  Corbley,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
James  Coffey,  Stamford,  Nebraska. 
Cornelius  DuBois,  Palenville,  New  York. 
Henry  T.  Ducoing,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Danville,  Illinois. 
Patrick  W.  Daugherity,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  111. 
Joseph  S.  Davis,  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  Insane  Asylum 
James  W.  Davis,  Whittier,  California. 
John  M.  Evans,  Maryville,  Mo.,  105  N.  Mulberry  St. 
William  J.  Evans,  Ogalalla,  Nebraska. 
Joseph  W.  Fifer,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
J.  M.  Fordice,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
James  A.  Grier,  Bellevue,  Pennsylvania, 
Thomas  Graham,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
Jonathan  Hyre,  Say  brook,  Illinois. 
J.  Hollingsworth,  Centralia,  Kansas. 
William  Harness,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
H.  S.  Hankins,  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  1425  S.  St. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


205 


Vinton  E.  Howell,  Blomington,  Illinois. 

Levi  W.  Hall,  Maple  City,  Kansas. 

William  L.  Horr,  East  Pierre,  South  Dakota. 

Charles   M.  Hamill,  Highlands,  Cal.,  Insane  Asylum. 

John  Jewell,  Hudson,  Illinois. 

G.  J.  Jordan,  Grandin,  Missouri. 

Joseph  L.  Kitchen,  Harvey,  Illinois,   14808  Page  Ave. 

D.  S.  Leech,  Indianapolis,  Indiana.  Custodian  Sol 
diers'  Monument. 

John  A.  Larimer,  Kearney,  Nebraska. 

Wesley  Leavitt,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  421  Dayton  Ave. 

B.  P.  Levick,  Farber,  Missouri. 

John  S.  Moore,  Gibson  City,  Illinois. 

William  McClure,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Danville,  Illinois. 

Josiah  McKee,  Lamar,  Missouri. 

J.  Wiley  Moore,  Morgan  Park,  Illinois. 

W.  P.  Minter,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

John  C.  McNeal,  Three  Rivers,  Michigan,  216  Con 
stant!  ne  St. 

John  H.  Newton,  Monte  Vista,  Colorado. 

Lagrange  Norcross,  Grandin,  Missouri. 

William  C.  Ogden,  Troy,  Idaho. 

S.  G.  Parker,  Washington,  D.  C.,  513  E.  6th  St.  N.  W. 

W.  H.  Rhodes,  Jamestown,  Kansas. 

S.  F.  Shoup,  Minier,  Illinois. 

James  Stone,    Bloomington,    111.,    709  W.  Jefferson  St. 

Henry  H.  Sisson,  Hebron,  Nebraska. 

James  M.  Sloan,  Gridley,  Illinois. 

Theron  H.  Storrs,  Sibley,  Iowa. 

Otis  L.  Taylor,  Glen  Elder,  Kansas. 

Jay  Taylor,  Five  Lakes,  Michigan. 

John  8.  Taylor,  Mayersville,  Mississippi. 

John  Tendick,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

"D"  COMPANY. 

1st  Lieutenant  W.  W.  Mason,  Decatur,  Illinois. 

2nd  Lieut.  Franklin  J.  Dunklee,  Siloam  Springs,  Ark. 

A.  O.  Ahlenius,  Chicago,  Illinois,  109  La  Salle  Ave. 

James  D.  Brower,  Sandwich,  Illinois. 

Joseph  A.  Beaty,  Virden,  Illinois. 

Cleop.  C.  Breckenridge,  Rochester,  Illinois. 

James  W.  Bateman,  Oppolis,  Kansas. 

Walter  Baker,  Medoc,  Missouri. 

A.  M.  Bay,  Creston,  Iowa. 

William  Boring,  Damascus,  Oregon. 

Fred  Bloomershine,  Peoria,  Illinois. 

Henry  Boden,  Hunting  Valley,  Colorado. 

Thomas  Carroll,  Winfield,  Iowa. 

Daniel  Compton,  Blair,  Nebraska. 

Oscar  M.  Crain,  Viola,  Missouri. 

James  A.  Chamberlain,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Samuel  Campbell,  Cherokee,  Kansas. 

John  Dannebarger,  New  Berlin,  Illinois. 

Henry  E.  Everts,  Ma/ie,  Arkansas. 

George  M.  Griffin,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Ft.  Dodge,  Iowa. 

Robert  M.  Grady,  Cuba,  Illinois. 

William  G.  Ginger,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Los  Angeles,  Cala. 

Thomas  D.  Howard,  Springfield,  111.,  1517  No.  5th  St. 

Wm.  W.  Harris,  Hettick,  Illinois. 


Augustus  Hurmoniug,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Danville,  111. 

Henry  H.  lodence,  Western,  Nebraska. 

H.  M.  Jarvis,  Kingman,  Kansas. 

Alpheus  C.  Jordan,  Farmersville,  Illinois,  F.  R.  D. 

John  A.  Kuykendall,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  26  Central 

Block. 

John  Lemmon,  Athens,  Illinois. 
J.  Ledbetter,  Newton,  Kansas. 
Richard  Leary,  Clinton,  Missouri. 
George  Lyman,  Pawnee,  Illinois. 
James  H.  Merriwether,  Pawnee,  Illinois. 
John  H.  Mosteller,  Tallula,  Illinois. 
Alford  McCoy,  Columbus,  Ohio. 
Ira  P.  McGlasson,  Marion,  Kansas. 
Isaac  N.  Martin,  Eddingburg,  Illinois. 
William  J.  Martin,  Centerville,  Iowa. 
William  Neilson,  Independence,  Kansas. 
John  N.  Orr,  Farmersville,  Illinois. 
Daniel  C.  Pelham,  Salisbury,  Illinois. 
Charles  Perrings,  Macoupin,  Illinois. 
W.  B.  Pelham,  Olathe,  Kansas. 
Sanford  Pettybone,  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 
Thomas  Pike,  Wichita,  Kansas. 
William  A.  Pyle,  Preston,  Nebraska. 
Joseph  H.  Richards,  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas. 
Abial  Rosengrant,  Butte,  Okla.  Ter.,  Dewey  county. 
Henry  Smith,  Cherryvale,  Kansas. 
Henry  Shaw,  Wataga,  Illinois. 

Thorr  Simmonson,  Springfield,   Illinois,    Clark  House. 
Robert  Travis,  Nokomis,  Illinois. 

John  W.  Taylor,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Los  Angeles,  California. 
Frederick  Ulmer,  Whitewater,  Kansas. 
Thomas  Warren,  Girard,  Illinois. 

"E"  COMPANY. 

Captain  Lyman  M.  Pratt,  Osceola,  Nebraska. 

Captain  W.  H.  Byram,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  Box  253. 

1st  Lieutenant  Edward  Marsh,  Marshfield,  Oregon. 

1st  Lieutenant  Harrison  Dwire,  Prospect  Park,  Cala. 

2nd  Lieutenant  Albert  CaurTman,  Kenesaw,  Neb. 

George  W.  Abbott,  Harper,  Kansas. 

Abe  P.  Anderson,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  243  E.  Water  St. 

Abe  Bonnell,  La  Moille,  Illinois. 

Levi  Bonnell,  Earlville,  Illinois. 

J.  C.  Brookbank,  Macon,  Missouri. 

B.  M.  Bullard,  Forrest,  Illinois. 

Charles  E.   Brown,  Princeton,  Illinois,  415  E.  Marion. 

Charles  Brown,  Brady,  Nebraska. 

James  N.  Butler,  Peoria,  111.,  1421  No.  Madison  St. 

W.  T.  Ballard,  Drakeville,  Iowa. 

Richard  W.  Brown,  Kane,  Illinois. 

R.  R.  Crawford,  Wellsboro,  Indiana. 

James  L.  Dayton,   Marshalltown,   Ta.,  F.  R.  D.  No.  1. 

James  Dunbar,  Correctionville,  Iowa. 

Henry  L.  Foster,  Buda,  Illinois. 

George  V.  Kendall,  Chicago,  Illinois,  183  W.  Madison, 

care  J.  H.  Flecker. 

Henson  Lieurance,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 
Jesse  McDonald,  Fall  River,  Kansas. 


206 


ROSTER  OF  THE  LIVING. 


Joel  M.  McClintuck,  Derails  Bluff,  Arkansas. 

Alvin  Metealf,  Center  Point,   Iowa. 

George  H.  Monroe,    New  Castle,  Perm.,  S.   Fourth  St. 

Charles  D.  Morris,  Rogers,  Arkansas. 

Howard  H.  Morris,  Newburg,  Iowa. 

Alexander  Miller,  Eurlingaine,  Kansas. 

Mitchel  E.  Overstreet,  Wood  hull,   Illinois. 

J.  M.  Porter,  Miller,  Iowa. 

Thaddeus  W.  Palmer,  Mendota,  Illinois. 

D.  W.  PheJps,  Sterling,  Illinois,  207  (>th  Ave. 

D.  D.  Pratt,  Paola,  Kansas. 

James  H.  Plecker,  Chicago,  111.,  183  W.  Madison  St. 

Charles  W.  Pratt,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Danville,  Illinois. 

J.  R.  Ray,  Salem,  Missouri. 

George  P.  Robinson,  p]xter,  Nebraska. 

R.  G.  Speedy,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

W.  N.  Stewart,  Fairmount,  Nebraska. 

James  H.  Watson,  Ponemah,  Illinois. 

Walter  S.  Wyley,  Omaha,  Neb.,  care  Edison  Light  Co. 

Stephen  A.  West,  Lake  Bluff,   Illinois. 

"F"    COMPANY. 

Capt.  D.  C.  Roberts,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  353  S.  Hill  St. 

Captain  John  W.  Stillwell,  Lewiston,  Nebraska. 

1st  Lieutenant  Henry  D.  Winship,  Chadron,  Nebraska. 

2nd  Lieutenant  Otis  T.  Barrows,  Wilson,  Missouri. 

George  H.  Anderton,  Franklin,  Illinois. 

Philip  Armon,  Pontiac,  Illinois. 

John  T.  Argubright,  Hull,  Iowa. 

William  A.  Bean,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

John  Baker,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

Robert  A.  Batty,  Hastings,  Nebraska. 

Matthew  Brennan,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

Wm.  T.  Brown,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 

John  Batty,  Lynnville,  Illinois. 

Robert  Burns,  Minonk,  Illinois. 

George  W.  Claywell,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

David  Carpenter,  Humbolt,  Kansas. 

James  Carrington,  Streator,  Illinois. 

Hartas  Dickinson,  Albany,  Oregon,  F.  R.  D. 

Thomas  Davis,  Lynnville,  Illinois. 

John  Davis,  Harrisonville,  Missouri. 

Ira  Erickson,  Cornell,  Illinois. 

Seaton  S.  Ellis,  Vernon,  Kansas. 

He/ekiah  Evans,  Winchester,   Illinois. 

Charles  Gill,  Liberal,  Missouri. 

John  F.  Goodyear,  Mattoon,   Illinois. 

Joseph  Guynn,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

Alexander  Graham,  Oxville,  Illinois. 

Hugh  Hawkins,   Saginaw,  Michigan. 

.John  W.  Halderman,  Lowell,   Illinois. 

H.  P.  Lewis,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

Elihu  Laycock,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 

I).  M.  Morris,  Hansen,  Nebraska. 

John  R.  McKee,  Springfield,  Illinois. 

George  W.  McDugal,  Galena,  Kansas. 

Valentine  McDonald,  Ha/zard,  Nebraska. 

Archibald  Northcut,  Winchester,  111. 

William  Nickerson,  Parsons,  Kansas. 


Joseph  Potter,  Merrett,  Illinois. 

Ezra  Pepper,  Alliance,  Nebraska. 

John  H.  Richey,  Springfield,  Illinois. 

George  Stephenson,  Bluff  Springs,  Illinois. 

Conley  S.  Starkley,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 

Augustine  Shibley,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

William  Tuke,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

Jasper  Taylor,  Exter,  Illinois. 

"G"   COMPANY. 

Capt.  John  T.  Russell,  Cooksville,   Illinois.  • 

1st  Lieut.  O.  L.  Rew,  Franklin,   Pennsylvania. 

2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  Elbert,  Lexington,  Illinois. 

2nd  Lieut.  Russell  Puntenney,  Gibson  City,   Illinois. 

Wm.  C.  Arnold,  McLean,   Illinois. 

Christopher  Bowman,  Chicago,  111.,  245  LaSalle  Ave. 

Jackson  Brown,  Schuyler,  Nebraska. 

Stephen  Babbett,  Avon,  Illinois. 

Matthew  W.  Brook,   Leola,  South  Dakota. 

Arnold  Chaflin,  Webster  City,  Iowa,  F.  R.   D. 

Perry  O.  Crowell,  Beloit,  Kansas. 

Thomas  Case,  Marengo,  Iowa. 

Arthur  Dillon,  Paxton,  Illinois. 

William  L.  Day,  Heyworth,  Illinois. 

Joseph  P.  Davis,  Burwell,  Nebraska. 

John  A.  Fulwiler,  Bloomington,   Illinois. 

Robert  Fell,  Bloomington,   Illinois. 

William  F.  Givler,   Saunemin,   Illinois. 

George  W.  Gilmore,  Trenton,  Missouri. 

Henry  C.  Hays,  Chicago,  111.,  3111  Cottage  Grove  Ave. 

W.  A.  Hickman,  Wapella,  Illinois. 

Robert  H.  Jeffers,  Bloomington,    Illinois. 

R.  S.  Krum,  Arrowsmith,  Illinois. 

George  W.  Kent,  Lexington,   Illinois. 

Joseph  Kendrick,  Leadville,  Colo.,  222  E.  3rd  Street. 

Geo.  H.  V.  Kelley,  Pawpaw,  Illinois. 

Andrew  C.  Martin,  Heyworth,  Illinois. 

William  Q.  Mahan,  Callaway,  Nebraska. 

Charles  G.  Moore,  Storm  Lake,   Iowa. 

C.  M.  McGrew,  Palmyra,  Nebraska. 

Edward  Morris,  Avon,   Illinois. 

J.  L.  McGrew,  North  Platte,  Nebraska. 

Andrew  J.  Nickerson,  Minneapolis,   Kansas. 

John  F.  Negly,  Winona,  Kansas. 

James  A.  P.  Story,  Williamsburg,  Iowa. 

Dudley  N.  Story,  Weir,  Kansas. 

Wash  W.  Sowards,  Hosington,  Kansas. 

W.  H.  Summers,  Hill  City,   Kansas. 

William  J.  Vertress,  Bushnell,  Illinois. 

James  R.  Williams,  Wapella,  Illinois. 

J.  E.  Waldon,  Gibson  City,  Illinois. 

T.  F.  Willis,  Blanchard,  Iowa. 

John  Wade,  McLean,  Illinois. 

H.  F.  Whiteman,  Girard,    Kansas. 

"H"  COMPANY. 

Captain  George  E.  Smith,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  715  Locust  St. 
1st  Lieutenant  Robert  P.  Williams,  Chicago,  Illinois, 
3516  State  St. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


207 


1st  Lieutenant  E.  B.  Chambers,  Keningston,  Maryland, 

or  Washington,  D.  C.,  Govt.  Printing  Office. 
2nd  Lieutenant  John  M.  Follett,  Atkinson,  Illinois. 
Thomas   Barrer,  Galesburg,   Illinois,  48  Public  Square. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Bay,  Madison,  Nebraska. 
Robert  B.  Bay,  Harris,  Kansas. 
Aaron  Boatman,  Con  way,  Iowa. 
Ebbur  A.  Converse,  Hendley,  Nebraska. 
Reuben  H.  Conant,  Benedict,  Nebraska. 
Stephen  D.  Cole,  Kewanee,  Illinois. 
James  Davis,  Neodosha,  Kansas. 
James  B.  Davey,  Little  York,  Illinois. 
J.  M.  Ellison,  Colorado  Springs,  Colorado. 
Samuel  J.  Fletcher,  Pullman,  Washington. 
Fred  H.  Ferris,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 
William  F.  Giddings,  Hale,  Iowa. 
J.  A.  Huston,  Rulo,  Nebraska. 
Isaac  B.  Hattield,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 
George  W.  Hand  (Jarvis),  Sharon  Center,  O. 
Lorin  Hitt,  Hopkins,  Missouri. 
George  Ingle,  Maquon,  Illinois. 
George  S.  Jacks,  Webster  City,  Iowa. 
Joseph  Jones,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 
Swan  A.  Miller,  Chicago,  Illinois,  260  Clark  St. 
E.  H.  Miller,  Battle  Ground,  Indiana. 
A.  K.  Mott,  Rossvell,  New  Mexico,  New  Idea  Store. 
Henry  Nelson,  Logansport,  Indiana. 
Benj.  F.  Nelson,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 
John  M.  Ryland,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Matthew  G.  Reed,  Weir  City,  Kansas. 
William  H.  Rodecker,  Cotfeyville,  Kansas. 
Samuel  W.  Smith,  London  Mills,  Illinois. 
Henry  Steel,  Merced  Falls,  California. 
Joseph  E.  Spencer,  Beemer,  Nebraska. 
Edward  Vandewalker,  Creston,  Iowa. 
A.  C.  W.  Vaughn,  Lafayette,  Indiana. 
Isaac  L.  Vail,  Ottawa,  Kansas. 
John  Waters,  Elm  wood,   Illinois. 
James  White,  Clay  Center,  Nebraska. 

"I"  COMPANY. 

Capt.  W.  T.  Lyon,  Sumner,  Iowa. 

1st  Lieut.  Charles  T.  Kenney,  Griggsville,  Illinois. 

1st  Lieut.  N.  W.  Reynolds,  Bloomington,    Illinois,   819 

W.  Washington  Street. 

2nd  Lieut.  D.  F.  Jenkins,  Fairhaven,  Washington. 
Arthur  C.  Baldwin,  Hannibal,  Missouri. 
Alex.  H.  Benson,  New  Hartford,  Illinois. 
John  S.  Bray,  Lexington,  Illinois. 
George  M.  Byres,  Bazile  Mills,  Nebraska. 
R.  B.  Coe,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  box  418. 
Henry  Carroll,  Campbell,  California. 
Adolph  Cook,  Coleridge,  Nebraska. 
Solomon  G.  Chanie,  New  Salem,  Illinois. 
William  F.  Connor,  Griggsville,  Illinois. 
Ezra  Crane,  Oswego,  Kansas. 
Martin  Conroy,  Mulvane,  Kansas. 
W.  H.  Duffield,   Virginia,   Illinois. 
William  H.  Dunham,  Lockwood,  Dade  county,  Mo. 


W.  H.  H.  Doan,  Perry,  Illinois. 

Robert  Davis,  Moline,   Illinois. 

Stephen  Evans,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

Charles  B.  Hays,  Whiting,   Kansas. 

J.  M.  Hughes,  Woodbine,  Iowa. 

R.  H.  Hawkins,  P^ldorado  Springs,  Missouri. 

S.  C.  Jobe,  Alda,  Nebraska. 

Isaac  Meats,  Versailles,  Illinois. 

Michael  McNatten,   Lincoln,   Illinois. 

Henry  J.  Mayo,  Perry,   Illinois. 

James  A.  McGee,  Garnett,  Kansas. 

John  G.  Martin,  New  Salem,  Illinois. 

Bryan  Martin,  S.  &  S.  home.  Los  Angeles,   Cala. 

Jotham  T.  Moulton,  Aurora,   Arkansas. 

John  Mull.  Bushnell,   Illinois. 

Ira  Nighswanger,  McCune  Station,  Missouri. 

Kleazer  Nighswanger,  Chambersburg,  Illinois. 

G.  S.  Nutter,  Roswell,  New  Mexico  Territory. 

James  H.  Rusher,  Fairbury,  Nebraska. 

A.  W.  Rollins,  Clarksville,  Missouri. 

Samuel  Stotts,  Fort  Collins,  Colorado. 

R.  P.  Stowe,  Springfield,  111.,   1227  PL  So.   Grand  Ave. 

Joseph  T.  Short,  Perry,  Illinois. 

James  A.  Slatten,  Taylorville,  Illinois. 

John  F.  Saunders,  Bloomington,   Illinois. 

William  Todd,  Perry,  Illinois. 

Anderson  W.  Wells,   Chambersburg,   Illinois. 

Isaac  T.  Webb,  Pittsfield,  Illinois. 

William  W.  Winters,  Perry,   Illinois. 

H.  A.  Wilkinson,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Walter  Reynolds,  Sedalia,  Missouri. 

"K"  COMPANY. 

Capt.  Edward  H.  Twining,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  Miss. 
River  Com.,  1111  Fullerton  Building. 

Capt.  Edwin  L.  Higgins,  Quincy,  Illinois,  12(>o  Ken 
tucky  Street. 

1st  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Sheeler,  Dayton,  ().,  240  Shaw  Ave. 

2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  H.  Weaver,   Petersburg,    Illinois. 

James  S.  Adkins,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

James  S.  Alteck,  Cbandlerville,  Illinois. 

David  Blair,  Newmanville,  Illinois. 

Michael  J.  Barnett,  P^mporia,   Kansas. 

James  Brewster,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

P^dward  Boicourt,  Minden,  Nebraska. 

Rev.  James  Boicourt,  Bonner  Springs,  Kansas. 

John  H.  Bet/,  Cheney,  Washington,  Spokane  county. 

George  Boemler,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,   1922  St.   Louis  Ave. 

Colby  Creed,  Chandlerville,  Illinois. 

Israel  Carmen,  Tecumseh,  Nebraska. 

P^dwin  H.  Carmen,  Joseph,  Oregon. 

David  C.  Colwell,  Appleton  City,  Missouri. 

John  H.  Carr,  Sylvan,  Illinois. 

James  H.  Clifford,  Virginia,   Illinois. 

P^dmund  F.  Cole,  Omaha,  Nebraska,  1302  Douglas  St. 

David  Crews,  Hamlin,  Kansas. 

Jacob  Crites,  Blackwell,  Oklahoma  Territory. 

David  J.  Curry,  Grant,  Iowa. 

M.  M.  Dowler,  Beardstown,  Illinois. 


208 


ROSTER  OF  THE  LIVING. 


Ezekiel  Bye,  Peck,  Kansas. 

William  H.  Edgar,  Beatrice,  Neb.,   Postmaster. 

George  W.  Fox  worthy,  Eldorado  Springs,  Mo. 

Thomas  Foxworthy,  Coal  Bluff,  Ind. 

George  M.  French,  Ilising  City,  Nebraska. 

William  H.  Farmer,  Minden,  Neb. 

Samuel  A.  Gould,  Virginia,   Illinois. 

Henry  P.  Grund,  Girard,  Kansas. 

Charles  J.  Haskell,  Virginia,  Illinois. 

Warren  S.  HufTaker,  Sylvan,  Illinois. 

William  Jones,  luka,  Illinois. 

Norris  H.  Johnson,  Curtis,  Nebraska. 

Henry  F.  Kelchner,  Omega,  Illinois. 

Thomas  Kennedy,  Salisbury,  Illinois. 

Daniel  Kent,  Kirksville,  Missouri,  205  N.   Elson  St. 

George  S.  Kuhl,  Beardstown,   Illinois. 

George  C.  Kuhl,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  2741  Eads  Ave. 

Samuel  Kyle,  Paola,  Kansas. 

Frank  M.  Lacey,  Ackron,   Kansas. 

William  McConochie,  Rock  Island,  Illinois. 

David  W.  Matson,  Mason  City,  Illinois. 

Henry  C.  Millner,  Virginia,   Illinois. 

Leonard   G.  Minter   (Mentree),  Jacksonville,  111. 

Andrew  J.  Morgan,  Chandlerville,   Illinois. 

J.  King  Monroe,  Chase,  Kansas,  Ilice  county. 

James  W.  Maddox,  Maple  Grove,   Missouri. 


John  W.  Phelps,  Chandlerville,   Illinois. 

Elijah  S.  Plummer,  Virginia,   Illinois. 

W.  H.  Patton,  S.  &  S.  Home,   Leavenworth,   Kansas. 

John  J.  Hobertson,  Jacksonville,    Illinois. 

William  H.  Ragan,  Seward,  Nebraska. 

Harry  T.  Handle,   Pratt,   Kansas. 

Holiday  Reynolds,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quiricy,  Illinois. 

Christopher  Schryer,  S.  &  S.  Home,   Quincy,   Illinois. 

Samuel  A.  Short,  Ashland,   Illinois. 

Joseph  M.  Spencer,  Cory  don,   Iowa. 

Joseph  M.  Strope,  Farmington,  Iowa. 

Isham  Skelton,  Princeton,   Indiana. 

William  H.  Stewart,  Fitzgerald,  Georgia. 

John  A.  Sprouse,  Long  Pine,  Neb. 

Augustus  Summers,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Dayton,   Ohio. 

Thomas  B.  Stockton,  Literberry,   Illinois. 

Orval  L.  Stowell,  Ponca  City,  Oklahoma  Territory. 

William  Swingle,  Athens,    Illinois. 

George  Steadman,  Chicago,  Illinois,  140  S.  Morgan  St. 

Amos  B.  Tarrnan,  Potwin,   Kansas. 

Joseph  D.  Turner,   Ashland,   Illinois. 

William  Welch,  Lebanon,  Missouri. 

J.  B.  Williamson,  Jacksonville,   Illinois. 

William  A.  Willet,  Quincy,   Illinois,  824  Kentucky  St. 

James  Wilson,  Harrisonville,  Missouri. 

Frank  Wilcox,  Unionville,  Missouri. 


NAMES  AND  ADDRESSES  OF  RELATIVES  OF  DECEASED  COMRADES. 


Mrs.  Charles  E.  Hovey,  widow  of  Col.  Charles  E.   Ho- 

vey,  411  3rd  St.  N.  W.,  Washington,  D.  C. 
J.  P.  Lippincott,  brother  of  Col.  Charles  E.  Lippincott, 

112  W.  College  Ave.,  Jacksonville,    Illinois. 
William    R.    Lockwood,    son    of   Lieut.    Col.    Wrm.    R. 

Lockwood,  Room  6,  Wrells  Bldg.,  Quincy,  Illinois. 
Mrs.  Leander  H.  Potter,  widow  of  Lieut.  Col.  Leander 

H.  Potter,  651  N.  Academy  St.,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 
T.  B.  Potter,  son  of  Lieut.  Col.  Leander  H.  Potter,  172 

Washington  St.,  Chicago,   Illinois. 
A.  J.   Roe,  M.  D.,  son  of  Lieut.  Col.  E.  R,   Roe,   Room 

22  Franklin  Bldg.,  Springfield,   Illinois. 
Edward  R.  Roe,  grandson  of  Lieut.    Col.    E.    R.    Roe, 

Royal  Insurance  Bldg.,  Chicago,  Illinois,  American 

Malting  Company. 
Mrs.  Lydia  H.  Cushman,  widow  of  Lieut.  Col.  H.  H. 

Pope,  362  Elizabeth  St.,   Pekin,   Illinois. 
Lon  W.  Gray,  son  of  Maj.  E.  H.  Gray,  Rushville,  111. 
Henry  Smith  Pope,  son  of  Lieut.  Col.  H.  H.  Pope,  362 

Elizabeth  St.,  Pekin,  Illinois. 
Grove  Wright,  brother  of  Quartermaster  Simeon  Wright, 

Sterling,  Illinois. 
Mrs.  E.  F.  May,  widow  of  Surgeon  Edwin  May,  59  No. 

Main  St.,  Oberlin,  Ohio. 
Geo.  B.  Abbott,  M.  D.,  son  of  Surgeon  N.  W.  Abbott, 

Chicago,   Illinois,  184  LaSalle  St. 
Mrs.  Henry  T.  Antis,  widow  of  Surgeon  H.  T.  Antis, 

Geneseo,  Illinois. 


A.  S.  Eddy,  son  of  Chaplain  H.  A.  Eddy,  Blooming- 
ton,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Ellen  C.  Dexter,  widow  of  Q.  M.  Sergeant  E.  L. 
Dexter,  73  So.  Main  St.,  Columbia,  Tennessee. 

Miss  Clara  E.  Saunders,  daughter  of  Hospital  Steward 
R.  A.  Saunders,  Avon,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Daniel  Z.  Robinson,  widow  of  Principal  Musician 
D.  /.  Robinson,  Roanoke,  Illinois. 

U.  D.  Eddy,  son  of  Chaplain  H.  A.  Eddy,  New  York 
City,  New  York.  Care  Flint,  Eddy  &  Co. 

Mrs.  Clara  Fyft'e,  mother  of  Lieutenant  J.  R,  Fyft'e,  A 
Company,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  307  Oakland  Ave. 

Mrs.  C.  V.  Fyff'e,  widow  of  Lieutenant  J.  R.  Fyft'e,  A 
Company, 307  Oakland  Ave. , Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

Mrs.  Clara  Tobey,  widow  of  Lieutenant  C.  A.  Tobey, 
A  Company,  Round  Grove,  Illinois. 

Frank  A.  Catlin,  son  of  F.  A.  Catlin,  A  Company,  325 
S.  1st  St.,  Rockford,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Olive  R.  Chamberlain,  widow  of  G.  W.  Chamber 
lain,  A  Company,  Round  Grove,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Susan  Darst,  sister  of  Arents  Ross,  A  Company, 
Eureka,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Belle  M.  Burrows,  widow  of  Elisha  Burrows,  A 
Company,  Canton,  Missouri,  F.  R.  D. 

C.  H.  Walker,  son  of  H.  M.  Walker,  A  Company,  Chi 
cago,  Illinois,  1942  Washington  Boulevard. 

Mrs.  W.  F.  Gould,  widow  of  W.  C.  Baker,  A  Com 
pany,  Stillman  Valley,  Illinois. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


209 


Mrs.  John  Pollock,  widow  of  John  Spradling,  A  Com 
pany,  Clinton,  Illinois. 

Calvin  Baker,  brother  of  W.  C.  Baker,  A  Company, 
Stillman  Valley,  Illinois. 

E.  H.  Howell,  brother  of  Chas.  A.  Howell,  A  Com 
pany,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

L.  A.  Straight,  son  of  J.  W.  Straight,  A  Co.,  with 
Allen  &  Straight,  1006  Pioneer  Press  Bldg.,St,  Paul, 
Minnesota. 

Mrs.  Henry  Koster,  widow  of  C.  Zuraff,  A  Company, 
Dunkerton,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  M.  I.  Morgan,  widow  of  Captain  M.  I.  Morgan, 
B  Company,  60  Mentor  Ave.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  L.  M.  Andrus,  widow  of  C.  W.  Andrus,  D  Com 
pany,  Hinsdale,  Illinois,  F.  R.  D. 

Miss  Edna  Barr,  daughter  of  J.  M.  Barr,  B  Company, 
Downers  Grove,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Susan  T.  Mayo,  widow  of  W.  J.  R.  Mayo,  B 
Company,  Acushnet,  Massachusetts. 

Mr?.  Morgan  Ballou,  widow  of  Morgan  Ballou,  B  Com 
pany,  Chicago,  Illinois,  1738  —  St. 

Mrs.  Fannie  C.  Morey,  widow  of  Frank  Morey,  B 
Company,  Omega,  Louisiana,  Madison  Parish. 

Mrs.  Ida  C.  Tobias,  sister  of  Justin  C.  Moore,  B  Com 
pany,  426  North  St.,  Peoria,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Charles  H.  Hebbard,  widow  of  Charles  H.  Heb- 
bard,  B  Company,  Lewiston,  Maine. 

Mrs.  Helen  E.  Morgan,  widow  of  Sid  O.  Morgan,  B 
Company,  Glen  Ullin,  North  Dakota. 

Mrs.  Zetta  Bodenstab,  daughter  of  Sid  O.  Morgan,  B 
Company,  New  Salem,  North  Dakota. 

Mrs.  A.  W.  K.  Bard  well,  widow  of  Captain  H.  M. 
Kellogg,  C  Company,  32  High  St.,  Greenfield,  Mass. 

Mrs.  W.  J.  Bishop,  widow  of  W.  J.  Bishop,  C  Com 
pany,  614  South  Clayton  St.,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

Frank  McNulta,  son  of  Michael  McNulta,  C  Company, 
St.  Wendal,  Minnesota.  Widow  at  same  place. 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Cutting,  widow  of  C.  E.  Cutting,  C 
Company,  East  Orange,  N.  Y.,  17  Evergreen  Place. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Malone,  widow  of  John  Malone,  C  Com 
pany,  Prentice,  Illinois. 

Charles  W.  Robinson,  nephew  of  Captain  D.  B.  Robin 
son,  C  Co.,  First  National  Bank,  Bloomington,  III. 

Mrs.  O.  H.  Damon,  widow  of  J.  B.  Lott,  C  Company, 
Gibson  City,  Illinois. 

George  Hummel,  son  of  Fred  Hummel,  C  Company, 
Gibson  City,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Rosengrant,  widow  of  Captain  H.  H.  Ros- 
engrant,  D  Company,  Taylorville,  Illinois. 

Dick  O.  Rosengrant,  son  of  Captain  H.  H.  Rosen- 
grant,  D  Company,  Grant,  Nebraska. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  E.  Pepper,  widow  of  Lieutenant  John 
W.  Pepper,  Ruckman,  W.  Va. ,  Hampshire  county. 

Charles  C.  George,  son  of  Lieutenant  William  George, 
D  Company,  Pawnee,  Illinois. 

S.  Everly  Simmondson,  son  of  Michael  Simmondson, 
D  Company,  Farmersville,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  I.  N.  Wykoff',  daughter  of  W.  R.  Moore,  D  Com 
pany,  612  New  St.,  Plainfield,  New  Jersey. 


J.  P.  Bryant,  brother  of  Lieutenant  J.  E.  Bryant,  E 
Company,  Princeton,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Ellen  B.  Freeman,  sister  of  Lieutenant  J.  E. 
Bryant,  E  Company,  Princeton,  Illinois. 

W.  Graves,  brother  of  Harrison  Graves,  E  Company, 
Prospect  Park,  Gala. 

Mrs.  Samuel  Karns,  widow  of  Samuel  Karns,  E  Com 
pany,  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  Henry  C.  Ward,  widow  of  H.  C.  Wrard,  E  Com 
pany,  1336  East  Main  St.,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

William  L.  Zink,  son  of  W.  D.  Zink,  E  Co.,  lola,  Kans. 

Burnett  H.  Zink,  son  of  W.  D.  Zink,  E  Company,  Gem, 
Idaho. 

Mrs.  Q,.  W.  Loverin,  widow  of  Q.  W.  Loverin,  E  Com 
pany,  Chicago,  Illinois,  4823  St.  Laurence  Ave. 

Mrs.  S.  E.  Young,  widow  of  C.  J.  Young,  F  Com 
pany,  Le  Mars,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  Peter  D.  Sorrals,  widow  of  P.  D.  Sorrals,  F  Com 
pany,  Ashland,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  J.  Benton  Gordon,  widow  of  J.  B.  Gordan,  F 
Company,  Lynnville,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Frances  E.  Chumley,  widow  of  Lieutenant  D.  A. 
Chumley,  F  Company,  Winchester,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Lucy  Drew  Moore,  widow  of  Captain  Ira  Moore, 
G  Company,  Cucamonga,  California,  lomosa  P.  O. 

Guy  C.  Ela,  son  of  Lieutenant  Geo.  P.  Ela,  G  Com 
pany,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  McKee,  widow  of  James  McKee,  G 
Company,  Selma,  Illinois. 

Ira  M.  Whiteman,  son  of  Michael  Whiteman,  G  Com 
pany,  Lexington,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  John  L.  Nutter,  widow  of  John  L.  Nutter,  G 
Company,  McCoy,  Oregon. 

Mrs.  Spencer  R.  Wells,  widow  of  S.  R.  Wells,  G  Com 
pany,  Grariville,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  M.  C.  Downey,  widow  of  John  Downey,  G  Com 
pany,  Ponca  City,  Oklahoma  Territory,  Box  293. 

Mrs.  M.  E.  Karr,  daughter  of  H.  M.  C.  Story,  G  Com 
pany,  Heyworth,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  James  A.  McKen/ie,  widow  of  Captain  J.  A.  Mc- 
Kenzie,  H  Company,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Livona  Miller,  widow  of  Jacob  Miller,  H  Com 
pany,  McCoy,  Oregon. 

Mrs.  Frank  A.  Johnson,  widow  of  F.  A.  Johnson,  H 
Company,  Creston,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  N.  B.  Hamilton,  widow  of  N.  B.  Hamilton,  H 
Company,  South  Omaha,  Nebraska. 

Mrs.  Mariam  Lancaster,  daughter  of  Henry  B.  Clark, 
H  Company,  101  Raynor  Ave.,  Joliet,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Smith,  widow  of  I.  S.  Smith,  H 
Company,  Goldfield,  Iowa. 

William  Stone,  brother-in-law  of  Asahel  Keys.  H 
Company,  Northneld,  Vermont. 

Elizabeth  McHenry,  widow  of  Daniel  McHenry,  H 
Company,  Gilson,  Illinois. 

Daniel  McHenry,  son  of  Daniel  McHenry,  H  Com 
pany,  Maquon,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Mattie  Brown,  widow  of  George  W.  Brown,  I 
Company,  Hiawatha,  Kansas. 


27 


210 


ROSTER  OF  THE  LIVING. 


Mrs.  Davis  W.  Hawker,  widow  of  D.  W.  Hawker,  I 
Company,  Perry,  Illinois. 

John  F.  Cook,  son  of  Albert  Cook,  I  Company,  Golden 
City,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  H.  P.  Coe,  widow  of  David  P.  Coe,  I  Company, 
Creighton,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  Chenoworth,  mother  of  James  Morrison,  I  Com 
pany,  Perry,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Clara  M.  Lippincott,  sister  of  Captain  Frank 
Adams,  K  Co.,  Jacksonville,  111.,  112  W.  College 
Avenue. 

Marietta  A.  Whitley,  sister  of  Captain  Frank  Adams, 
K  Company,  Brainard,  Minnesota. 

Emily  A.  Richmond,  sister  of  Captain  Frank  Adams, 
K  Company,  Redlands,  California. 

Mrs.  A.  S.  Dodds,  widow  of  Alf.  S.  Dodds,  K  Com 
pany,  Bolcow,  Missouri,  Andrew  county. 

Mrs.  Charles  Hinchee,  widow  of  C.  W.  Hinchee,  K 
Company,  Ashland,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  James  F,  Raybourn,  widow  of  J.  F.  Raybourn,  K 
Company,  Centralia,  Missouri. 


Lee  A.  Raybourn,  son  of  J.  F.  Raybourn,  K  Com 
pany,  Columbia,  Missouri,  1106  Locust  St. 

Mrs.  James  A.  Sutton  and  daughter  Bessie,  widow  and 
daughter  of  Jas.  A.  Sutton,  K  Company,  Lincoln, 
Illinois. 

Ed  P.  Moulton,  son  of  John  H.  Moulton,  K  Company, 
Neodesha,  Kansas. 

Mrs.  Mary  Alderson,  widow  of  James  Alderson,  K 
Company,  Virden,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  E.  B.  Daniels,  sister  of  Herman  Bohne,  K  Com 
pany,  Savoy,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  E.  M.  Bohne,  widow  of  Herman  Bohne,  K  Com 
pany,  Crete,  Nebraska. 

Mrs.  James  Munroe  Hinchee,  widow  of  J.  M.  Hin 
chee,  K  Company,  Virginia,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Cyntha  Robins,  widow  of  W.  Mat  Summers,  K 
Company,  Petersburg,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  George  M.  Forsythe,  widow  of  G.  M.  Forsythe,  K 
Company,  Virginia,  Illinois. 

Edwin  H.  Bohne,  brother  of  Herman  Bohne,  K  Com 
pany,  Hansen,  Nebraska. 


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OUR  FALLEN  COMRADES. 


By  H.  W.  SMITH.  "A"  Company. 


Sleep  on,  noble  comrades;  peacefully  rest 
'Till  reveille  calls  thee  to  the  ranks  of  the  blest. 
You  fought  for  the  right,  were  noble  and  brave ; 
You  fell  in  the  fight  your  country  to  save. 

Sleep  on,  noble  comrades,  you  died  not  in  vain  ; 
You  re-united  our  country,  broke  the  bondsman's  chain  ; 
The  beautiful  flag  for  which  you  died 
Is  a  united  country's  emblem  and  pride. 

Sleep  on,  noble  heroes,  in  your  narrow  beds; 
The  flag  you  helped  save  floats  o'er  your  heads. 
The  beautiful  flag  with  red  and  white  bars 
Is  now  emblazoned  with  forty -five  stars. 

Our  beautiful  flag  floats  in  the  breeze 
In  every  land  and  on  all  the  seas. 
Millions  love  it,  it  has  no  foes; 
Nations  respect  it  wherever  it  goes. 

Sleep  on,  honored  heroes;  we'll  join  you  at  last, 
When  the  "dark  river"  is  reached  and  passed; 
And  we'll  bivouac  on  that  peaceful  shore 
Where  death  and  carnage  come  nevermore. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


213 


ROLL  OF  THE  DEAD. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 

"Where  heaves  the  turf  in  many  a  mouldering  heap, 
Each  in  his  narrow  cell 
The  heroic  defenders  of  the  nation  sleep." 


Life's  battles  for  our  comrades  are  over.     They  have  crossed  the  river.     Taps  will  soon  sound  for  the  stragglers. 
The  re-united  command  will  forever  pitch  their  tents  on  the  elysian  fields  of  peace. 


NAMES  OF  COMRADES  WHO  HAVE  DIED  SINCE  THEIR  DISCHARGE 
FROM  THE  REGIMENT. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF  OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Henry  H.  Pope,  killed  at  Franklin, 

Louisiana,  1866. 

Quartermaster  Simeon  Wright,  Kinmundy,  111.,  1876. 
Lieut.  Colonel  Leander  H.  Potter,  Galesburg,   111.,  187!). 
Colonel  Charles  E.  Lippincott,  Quincy,  111.,  1887. 
Surgeon  George  P.  Rex,  Reaville,  New  Jersey,  1889. 
Chaplain  Herman  J.  Eddy,  New  York  City,  N.  Y.,  1891. 
Lieut.  Colonel  Wm.  R.  Lockwood,  Quincy,  111.,  1892. 
Lieut.  Colonel  Edward  R.  Roe,  Chicago,  111.,   1893. 
1st  Asst.  Surgeon  Edwin  May,  Annapolis,  Mo.,  1893. 
Colonel  Charles  E.  Hovey,  Washington,  I).  C.,  1897. 
2nd  Asst.  Surgeon  Henry  T.  Antis,   Geneseo,   111.,   1899. 
Major  Elijah  H.  Gray,  Rushville,  Illinois,   1871. 

NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF  OFFICERS. 

Commissary  Sergeant  Samuel  Tilden,  New  York,   1886. 
Quartermaster  Sergeant  Elijah    L.    Dexter,    Columbia, 

Tennessee,  1888. 

Hospital  Steward  Reamer  A.  Sanders,  Avon,  111.,  1897. 
Principal  Musician  Daniel  Z.  Robinson,  Eureka,  111.,— 

REGIMENTAL  BAND. 
J.  B.  Sanders,—    —,189.5. 
George  Polder,  Eureka,  Illinois,  1876. 

"A"  COMPANY. 

Stephen  B.  Birdsall,  Rockford,  Illinois,  1864. 
Arents  Ross,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  1867. 
John  W.  Spradling,  Clinton,  Illinois,  1870. 
William  C.  Baker,  Stilhnan  Valley,  Illinois,  1871. 


Constant! ne  Zuraff,  Fairbank,  Iowa,  1879. 

1st  Lieutenant  James  R.  Fyft'e,  Fort  Scott,  Kan.,  1872. 

James  Spradling,  Clinton,  Illinois,  1883. 

Walter  C.  Ross, ,  Kansas,  1883. 

Franklin  H.  Catlin,  Rockford,  Illinois,  1883. 

Levi  W.  Reynolds,  Waverly,  Illinois,  1886. 

Charles  Bovee,  Peoria,  Illinois,  1887. 

Marvin  J.  Nye,  Taylorville,  Illinois,  1890. 

Cyrus  A.  Bailey,  Victoria,  New  Mexico,  1892. 

Charles  A.  Barrows,  Santa  Monica,  California,  1892. 

Johnson  W.  Straight,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  1899. 

Elisha  Burrows,  Canton,  Missouri,  1888. 

2nd  Lieutenant  Charles  Tobey,  Round  Grove,  111.,  1900. 

George  W.  Chamberlain,  Lyndon,   Illinois,  1900. 

William  G.  I).  Weed,  Nat.  Mila.  Home,  Leavenworth, 

Kansas,  1901. 

Daniel  R.  Curtis,  Surlield,  Connecticut, . 

Stephen  Sherman, , . 

Champlin  Lester,  Kewanee,  Illinois, . 

Horton  Vail,  Kewanee,  Illinois,  1902. 

Matthew  H.  Power,  buried  in  Nat.  Cemetery  at  Mound 

City,  Illinois. 

"B"  COMPANY. 

William  Martin,  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  1864. 
Justin  C.  Moore,  Rutland,  Illinois,  186."). 
James  Wright,  Rutland,   Illinois,  186"). 
Albert  Leisteco,  Chicago,  Illinois,  186">. 
Scott  Blodgett,  Downers  Grove,   Illinois,  1866. 
Samuel  Cry,  Helena,  Montana,  1867. 
Morgan  Ballou,  Waumego,  Montana,  1882. 


214 


ROLL  OF  THE  DEAD. 


Wesley  Smart,  Chicago,  Illinois,  1884. 
Frederick  Grotbman,  in  Southern  Illinois,  1885. 
Henry  G.  Morgan,  Rice  Lake,  Wisconsin,  1885. 
Charles  W.  Andrus,  Downers  Grove,  Illinois,  1888. 
Joseph  F.  Owens,  Toledo,  Ohio,  1889. 
Edward  H.  Ingraham,  Sandy,  Oregon,  1894. 
Captain  Moses  I.  Morgan,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  1895. 
Preston  McQuade,  Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma  Ter.,  1897. 
James  M.  Barr,  Downers  Grove,  Illinois,  1898. 
William  J.  R.  Mayo,  Acushnet,  Massachusetts,  1898. 
P>ank  Morey,  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,   1892. 
John  Wrolf,  Beardstown,  Illinois,  1900. 
Otis  Dyre,  Riverside,  California,  1900. 
Albert  B.  Capron,  W'innetka,  Illinois,  1901. 

William  McQueen,  Galesburg,  Illinois, . 

Riley  C.  Merriam,  Avon,  Illinois, . 

Nels  Swanson,  -     — ,  -     — . 
Isaac  B.  Whiteman,  -     — ,  -     — . 

Ferdinand  Palmer,  -  —Mo., . 

Joseph  Wonders,  Kewanee,  Illinois, . 

Thomas  Rule,  San  Francisco,  California, . 

Charles  H.  Hebbard,  Lewiston,  Maine,  1901. 
E.  Dudley  Chase,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1902. 
Sid.  O.  Morgan,  Glen  Ullin,  North  Dakota,  1902. 
Brice  Day  and  Thomas  Sharp  are  buried  in  National 
Cemetery  at  Mound  City,  Illinois. 

"C"  COMPANY. 

Captain  Daniel  B.  Robinson,  Towanda,  111.,  1865. 

Samuel  M.  Shaw,  Pana,   Illinois,  1871. 

David  C.  Jordan,  Pleasant  Grove,  Missouri,   1875. 

Samuel  E.  Loss,  Springville,  Iowa,  1878. 

Jonathan  B.  Lott,  Gibson  City,  Illinois,  1879. 

Frederick  Hummel,  Gibson  City,  Illinois,  1880. 

Samuel  W.  Swanson,  Grand  Tower,  Illinois,  1885. 

Isaac  Stroud,  Thomasville,  Georgia,   1886. 

John  Tucker,  Chenoa,  Illinois,  1886. 

John  N.  Hall,  Delavan,  Illinois,  1888. 

Elisba  J.  Folds,  Joplin,  Minnesota,  1892. 

Charles  W.  Cutting,  New  York  City,  N.  Y.,  1893. 

Ransom  Davis,  Littlefield,  Minnesota,  1895. 

Michael  McNulta,  St.  Wendall,  Minnesota,  1896. 

Martin  Shephard,  Chenoa,  Illinois,  1896. 

James  H.  Elkin,  Madisonville,  Kentucky,  1899. 

William  J.  Bishop,  Bloomington,  111.,  Oct.  3,  1901. 

James  W.  Cox,  Blue  Mound,  Kansas, — 

John  McGuire, — 

"D"  COMPANY. 

Michael  Simmondson,  White  Oak,  Illinois,  1879. 
Samuel  Havener,  Cherryvale,  Kansas,  1880. 
2nd  Lieutenant  William  G.  George,  Pawnee,  111.,  1887. 
Haskins  Jones,  Custer,  Illinois,  1889. 
Louis  Compton,  North  Platte,  Nebraska,  1890. 
Captain  Hiram  H.  Rosengrant,  Grant,  Nebraska,  1892. 
William  Crain,  Viola,  Missouri,  1896. 
1st  Lieut.  John  W.  Pepper,  Ruckman,  W".  Va.,  1895. 
Charles  Schorndorf,  National  Soldiers'  Home,  Dayton, 
Ohio,  1896. 


W'illiam  R.  Moore,  Plainfield,  New  Jersey,  1899. 

Ephraim  G.  Allen, . 

John  Little, . 

Floyd  Webster, . 

Frederick  Yockey, . 

2nd  Lieutenant  Hiram  V.  Algar, . 

George  R.  Sheets,  Creston,  Iowa,   1902. 

"E"  COMPANY. 

Charles  H.  Dickinson,  La  Moille,  Illinois,  1863. 

Edward  Wiswall,  -     — ,  Mississippi,  1864. 

Charles  W.  Morgan,  Princeton,  Illinois,  1866. 

Dennis  E.  Dayton,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  1867. 

John  Dean,  Buckley,  Illinois,  1873. 

Isaac  M.  Hughes,  Princeton,  Illinois,  1874. 

William  D.  Zink,  Tola,  Kansas,  1880. 

Joshua  H.  Moredick,  La  Moille,  Illinois,  1881. 

John  M.  Bruner,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  1890. 

Charles  Babcock,  La  Moille,  Illinois,  1890. 

William  H.  H.  Clark,  Redfield,  Iowa,  1892. 

Henry  C.  Ward,  Galesburg,   Illinois,  1896. 

Jacob  R.  Cordell,  Bentonville,  Arkansas,  1896. 

Michael  Doyle,  Chicago,  Illinois,  1900. 

Quimby  W.  Loverin,  Chicago,  Illinois,  27  July,  1901. 

Samuel  Adley,  Princeton,   Illinois,  -     — . 

J.  M.  Foster,  died  in  Mich.,  buried  at  Buda,  111.,  1869. 

"F"  COMPANY. 

Marquis  D.  La  Fayette  Berry,  Winchester,  111.,  1866. 

1st  Lieutenant  Job  Claywell,  Winchester,  Illinois,  1872. 

Andrew  Morris,  near  Cornell,  Illinois,  1872. 

Adam  Carpenter,  near  Cornell,  Illinois,  1872. 

Peter  D.  Sorrals,  Woodson,   Illinois,  1883. 

William  Desollars,  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  1886. 

Matthew  M.  Trimble,  Le  Mars,  Iowa,  1887. 

William  Martin,  Exter,  Illinois,  1880. 

1st  Lieut.  John  X.  Wilson,  Farmington,  S.  D. ,  1897. 

J.  Benton  Gordon,  Lynnville,  Illinois,  1899. 

Charles  J.  Young,  Le  Mars,  Iowa,  1894. 

Daniel  Wilson,  Neodesha,  Kansas,  1900. 

Jasper  Nigh,  Washington,  District  of  Columbia, . 

Joel  E.  Campbell,  -     — ,  Kentucky,  -     — . 
Daniel  D.  Runkle,  -     — ,  -     — . 
John  Long,  -     — ,  -     — . 

James  Garrison, , . 

Jacob  Hoover,  - — , . 

Joel  E.  Baker,  Winchester,  Illinois, . 

Thomas  E.  Green,  Soldiers'  Home,  Danville,  111.,  1901. 
Lieutenant  David   A.    Chumley,    Winchester,    Illinois, 
31  March,  1902. 

"G"  COMPANY. 

Warren  Shannon,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  1868. 
Andrew  J.  Grow,  Bentown,   Illinois,  1880. 
George  R.  Brown,  Greeneville,  Illinois,  1883. 
Charles  H.  Turner,  Elmwood,  Illinois,  1883. 
John  Downie,  Mayfield,  Kansas,  1884. 
Salathiel  M.  Kenton,  Hey  worth,   Illinois,  1885. 
Isaac  T.  Swearingen,  Wapella,  Illinois,  1866. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


215 


Henry  M.  C.  Story,  Heyworth,  Illinois,  1876. 
Spencer  II.  Wells,  Eagle  Grove,  Iowa,  1886. 
Michael  Whitman,  Irwin,  Illinois,  1887. 
Jackson  G.  Sprague,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  1801. 
Dewit  C.  McGraw,  Princeton,  Missouri,  1801. 
William  A.  Timmons,  National  Soldiers'    Home,    Day 
ton,  Ohio,  1892. 

James  McKee,  Selma,  Illinois,  1802. 
Archibald  Thompson,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  1803. 
John  W.  Spencer,  Ames,  Iowa,   1805. 
Captain  Ira  Moore,  Cucamonga,  California,  1807. 
William  McCracken,  Selma,   Illinois,  1807. 
1st  Lieutenant  George  P.  Ela,  Bloomington,   111.,  1808. 

George  L.  Conklin, ,  Nebraska,  1800. 

John  L.  Nutter,  McCoy,  Oregon,  1800. 

2nd  Lieut.   Lysander  C.  Howard,   Labett,  Kan. 

"H"  COMPANY. 

Grove  L.  Chapman,   Big  Rock,  Iowa,  1887. 

Isaac  S.  Smith,  Goldfield,  Iowa,  1887. 

William  Fremole,  Douglas,  Missouri,  1800. 

Samuel  F.  Steele,  Galesburg,   Illinois,  1802. 

Nathan  B.  Hamilton,  Omaha,  Nebraska,  1806. 

Henry  B.  Clark,  Joliet,  Illinois,  1806. 

Asahel  Keys,  Bennington,  Vermont,  1806. 

John  T.  Lincoln,  Afton,  Iowa,  1807. 

Eli  F.  Jackson,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  1808. 

John  Waters,  Elmwood,  Illinois,  1800. 

Jacob  Miller,  Pearland,  Texas,  1800. 

Frank  A.  Johnson,  Creston,  Iowa,  1000. 

Andrew  Swauson,  Woodhull,  Illinois,   1000. 

Daniel  McHenry,  Maquon,  Illinois,— 

Capt.  James  A.  McKenzie,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  17  De 
cember,  1001. 

Wm.  H.  Cemer  is  buried  in  National  Cemetery  at 
Mound  City,  Illinois. 

"I"  COMPANY. 

Benjamin  F.  Baldwin,  Chicago,  Illinois,  1865. 
George  Taylor,  Perry,  Illinois,  1865. 
James  N.  Morrison,  Perry,   Illinois,   1866. 

John  W.  Hill, ,   1876. 

Captain  William  W.  H.  Lawton,  Griggsville,  111.,  1882. 

Norman  Reynolds,  Perry,  Illinois,  1883. 

Davis  W.  Hawker,  Perry,  Illinois,  1884. 

Samuel  P.  Shannon,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  1886. 

George  McClellan  Ilex,  Bloomington,  Illinois,  1880. 

John  Elmore,  Havana,  Illinois,  1800. 

2nd  Lieut.  Edward  A.  F.  Allen,  Clinton,  Illinois,  1803, 

William  A.  Winslow,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  1806. 

William  S.  Robinson,  Wrest  Liberty,   Illinois,  1802. 

Albert  Cook,  Golden  City,  Missouri,  1000. 

George  W.  Brown,  Blue  Rapids,   Kansas,   1000. 

James  J.  Glad  well,  killed  in  Toledo,  Ohio,  29  June,  1001. 

Enos  Wood,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois,   1001. 

James  Houckins,  near  Streator,  Illinois, . 

Joshua  Whitten, . 


John  Hines,  ('ape  Girardeau,  Missouri, . 

Philip  Wen/ell,  Bushnell,  Illinois, . 

Asher  E.  Jones,  Bethel,  Illinois,——. 
David  P.  Coe,  near  Dayton,  Missouri,  1887. 

"K"  COMPANY. 

John  Gard,  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  1865. 

William  H.  Kilgore, ,  1862. 

W.  Mat.  Summers,  Petersburg,  Illinois,  1876. 
John  H.  Moulton,  Neodesha,  Kansas,  1877. 
Charles  W.  Hinchee,  Newmanville,  Illinois,  1877. 

Marshfield  T.  Paul, ,  1878. 

Captain   Franklin   Adams,  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  1868. 
Conrad  Hendricker,  Beardstown,  Illinois,  1883. 
Lewellyn  A.  Snell,  Carthage,  Missouri,  1884. 
Monroe  Sutton,  Springfield,  Illinois,  1888. 

Edgar  S.  Lyon, ,  1888. 

John  N.  Kendall,  Alton,  Illinois,  1888. 
John  A.  Towls,  Quincy,  Illinois,  1880. 
John  Lawler,  Beardstown,  Illinois,  1800. 
Herman  A.  Bhue,  Grand  Island,  Nebraska,  1801. 
Orlando  H.  Brewster,  Lake  Charles,  Florida,  1804. 
James  F.  Raybourne,  Centralia,  Missouri,  1805. 
Martin  L.  Saunders,  S.  &  S.  Home,  Los  Angeles,  Cali 
fornia,  1806. 

John  Martin,  Petersburg,  Illinois,  1808. 
Thomas  Eyre,  Virginia,  Illinois,  1808. 
William  Russell,  Virginia,  Illinois,  1000. 
Alfred  S.  Dodds,  Bolcow,  Mo.,  1000. 
Joseph  M.  Milstead,  Marion,  Indiana,  1000. 
William  T.  Congers,  Adams  county,  Nebraska,  1000. 
William  Murry,  Quincy,  Illinois,  July,  1001. 
George  M.  Forsythe,  Virginia,  Illinois,  31  July,  1001. 
James  Munroe  Hinchee,  Virginia,    111.,  17  Sept.,  1001. 

Adolph  Snell,  Greenview,  Illinois, . 

James  Swartwood,  McCook,  Nebraska,  - 

John  P.  Matthews, ,  — — . 

Finis  E.  Stephenson, , . 

2nd  Lieutenant  Frank  Ford, ,  - 

Henry  Lightfoot, ,  - 

James  S.  Alderson,  Yatesville,  Illinois, , . 

Martin  H.  Beebe, , . 

James  Baker, ,  — 

Allan  Cunningham,  Virginia,  Illinois,  - 

Thomas  S.  Chandler, , . 

Fred  K.  Goodsell,  Chandlerville,  Illinois, . 

Henry  H.  Huff,  Ashland,  Illinois, . 

Thomas  Mullen,  Chandlerville,  Illinois,  — 

William  Patterson, , . 

Louis  Rentz, , . 

Wilson  Schoonover, , . 

Abraham  Shoemaker,  Chandlerville,  Illinois,  - 

Calvin  C.  Wilson,  Chandlerville,  Illinois, . 

Benjamin  L.  Simms, , . 

Josiah  S.  Hockenberry,  Topeka,  Kansas,  1000. 

Charles  Ostin,  Pekin,  Illinois, . 

Joseph  Sissick, . 


216  BOLL  OF  THE  DEAD. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


217 


WILLIAM  C.  BAKER. 
1st  Sergea'nt  "A"  Company. 


RASSELAS  P.  REYNOLDS. 
1st  Sergeant  "A"  Company. 


CHARLES  E.  WILCOX. 

Sergeant  "A"  Company.    Sergeant  Major. 

Capt.  92nd  U.  S.  C.  I. 


SYLVESTER  W.  DURFLINGER. 
Sergeant  "A"  Company. 


28 


218 


REAflNISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


DRUM  CORPS. 


This  work  would  not  be  complete  without  some  refer 
ence  to  the  "Drum  Corps",  as  to  its  make-up  ami  du 
ties.  It  consisted  of  a  Drum  Major,  Fife  Major, 
Bugler,  Bass  Drummer,  ten  Drummers  and  ten  Fifers. 
The  Drum  Major,  or  principal  musician,  being  the 
ranking  officer,  the  corps  was  under  his  command.  The 
Drum  Major,  Fife  Major  and  Bugler  were  enlisted  mu 
sicians,  and  part  of  the  "Non-Commissioned  Staff". 
A  h'fer  and  drummer  were  detailed  from  each  company 
to  complete  the  corps.  As  to  the  duties  of  the  Drum 
Corps,  they  were  various.  They  awoke  the  boys  in  the 
morning  with  their  reveille  and  sent  them  to  bed  at 
night  with  taps.  On  the  march  their  place  was  near 
the  head  of  the  regiment,  just  in  front  of  the  colors. 
When  in  camp  a  detail  of  two  musicians  was  made  each 
day  for  duty  at  headquarters  to  "play  calls".  In  time 
of  battle  the  Drum  Corps  was  the  surgeon's  assistant. 
They  brought  in  the  wounded  from  trie  field  and  aided 
the  surgeon  in  caring  for  them.  Very  often  their  du 
ties  at  this  time  carried  them  to  the  most  exposed  part 
of  the  field  and  required  of  them  an  exhibition  of  cour 
age  equal  to,  if  not  greater  than,  that  displayed  by  the 
soldier  in  the- ranks.  As  a  partial  protection  they  were 
furnished  with  badges  and  a  hospital  flag.  Very  sel 
dom  was  the  hospital  flag  knowingly  fired  upon.  Many 
of  the  "last  messages"  to  the  loved  ones  at  home  were 
entrusted  to  the  members  of  the  corps,  and  faithfully 
the  wishes  were  complied  with.  Tenderly  they  minis 
tered  to  the  suffering  and  made  as  comfortable  as  pos 
sible  the  last  moments  of  the  dying.  There  was  no 
rest  for  them  until  the  wounded  had  all  been  cared  for. 
After  a  serious  battle  it  sometimes  required  days  to 
complete  the  task  assigned  to  them. 

At  Magnolia  Hills,  Miss.,  I  had  my  first  experience 
in  working  with  the  wounded  from  a  great  battle.  The 
wounded  lay  in  long  rows  awaiting  attention.  Often  the 
poor  fellow  was  dead  when  that  attention  came.  Could 
he  have  had  it  sooner,  the  life  might  have  been  saved. 
Many  of  these  poor  fellows  lay  on  the  ground  awaiting 
their  call  from  early  morning  until  the  morning  of  the 
day  following.  The  attendants  were  few  and  the  suff 
ering  great.  Friend  and  foe  were  treated  alike.  As  I 
went  down  the  line  giving  some  water  to  those  that 
wished  it,  I  noticed  one  of  our  boys;  one  of  his  arms 


was  badly  shattered,  one  side  of  his  face  had  been  de 
moralized  by  a  shot.  He  could  not  talk,  yet  some  one 
had  filled  and  lit  his  pipe  for  him.  He  lay  there  smok 
ing  and  quietly  awaiting  his  turn  for  attention.  A 
Johnny  that  belonged  to  a  Kentucky  regiment  had  his 
leg  shattered  above  the  knee.  We  placed  him  on  the 
operating  table.  He  was  told  that  the  leg  would  have 
to  come  off.  They  began  to  give  him  something  to  keep 
him  quiet  during  the  operation.  He  pushed  the  stuff 
away ;  called  for  some  tobacco ;  after  it  was  given  him 
he  said,  "Now  cut  it  off  if  you  have  to."  He  gripped 
his  hands  on  the  sides  of  the  bench  and  watched  the 
operation;  when  it  was  completed  he  said,  "It  looks 
like  a  good  job  ;  guess  I  will  not  fight  you'ns  any  more  ; 
thank  you." 

At  Champion  Hills,  after  we  had  gone  over  the  field 
and,  as  we  supposed,  brought  in  all  the  wounded,  I 
went  back  over  it,  noticing  carefully  each  man  for  some 
signs  of  life.  I  found  a  rebel  Colonel  with  a  badly 
wounded  leg.  He  was  very  weak  from  loss  of  blood. 
I  tied  up  the  leg  to  stop  the  bleeding,  gave  him  a  drink 
of  water,  placed  him  against  a  tree  and  went  for  aid. 
His  leg  was  taken  oft'  and  we  made  him  as  comfortable 
as  possible.  He  seemed  to  be  thankful  for  the  attention 
bestowed.  He  took  my  name  and  address.  At  the 
National  Encampment  U.  A.  R.,  at  St.  Loui«,  Mo., 
while  sitting  talking  with  the  boys,  a  gentleman  ap 
proached  me  and  asked  me  my  name,  where  I  served, 
etc.,  then  extending  his  hand,  asked  me  if  I  remem 
bered  caring  for  a  wounded  Johnny  at  Champion  Hills. 
He  was  the  Colonel  whose  life  we  had  saved.  He  as 
sured  me  but  for  my  care  at  that  time  he  would  not 
now  be  present  to  express  his  gratitude  to  me  for  the 
kindness  shown  to  a  foeman. 

At  8  o'clock  p.  m.  on  the  22nd  of  May,  1863,  word 
came  back  from  the  boys  in  the  front  line  that  they 
were  suffering  for  water.  Two  men  of  the  corps  volun 
teered  to  carry  some  water  to  them.  Filling  the  can 
teens  they  started  for  the  front;  one  of  them  in  getting 
there  had  two  canteen  strings  cut,  the  heel  of  his  shoe 
wrecked  and  his  blouse  ruined  by  bullets.  The  water 
he  brought  having  passed  through  the  fire,  was  sweeter, 
if  not  any  cooler,  by  the  contact. 

The  regimental  commanders  took  much  interest  in  the 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


219 


Drum  Corps,  providing  them  with  new  music  and  giv 
ing  them  time  to  practice.  The  boys  did  not  always 
appreciate  these  favors  ;  oftentimes  the  practice  was  dif 
ferent  from  that  intended.  One  afternoon  the  boys  had 
been  having  a  little  side  practice,  and  when  called  out 
for  dress  parade  part  of  them  were  unsteady  on  their 
legs.  Their  high  and  side  stepping  was  a  reminder  of 
the  actions  of  the  men  after  leaving  the  ship  "Clinton" 
at  Matagorda  Island.  Col.  Elliott,  seeing  their  condi 
tion,  gave  them  a  severe  reprimand.  When  parade  was 


dismissed  the  corps  played  "We  will  all  drink  stone 
blind."  As  the  last  company  left  the  ground,  Col. 
Elliott  stepped  up  to  the  corps  and  in  a  stern  voice 
marched  them  away,  as  they  supposed,  to  the  guard 
house.  They  came  in  front  of  the  sutler's  tent,  when 
the  command  "Halt"  was  given.  Elliott  said,  "Boys 
you  are  ahead  of  me  this  time.  Sutler,  give  the  boys  a 
box  of  cigars  on  my  account."  As  we  returned  the 
Colonel's  parting  salute  our  changed  feelings  gave  ut 
terance  in  a  lusty  cheer.  E.  J.  WAKEMAN. 


THE  COLONEL'S  LESSON  IN  MANNERS. 


The  Drum  Corps  seemed  to  have  certain  privileges  in 
the  regiment  that  were  not  granted  to  the  "rank  and 
file".  If  they  wished  to  go  outside  of  the  lines  they 
seemed  to  have  no  trouble  in  securing  a  permit,  and 
very  often  a  permit  seemed  unnecessary. 

While  encamped  near  Montgomery,  Ala.,  the  permits 
to  leave  the  regiment  were  grudgingly  given  to  him  of 
the  musket,  but  the  Drum  Corps  went  when  and  where 
they  pleased.  George  Kendall,  the  drummer  of  E  Com 
pany,  and  the  Orderly  of  Col.  Lippincott  went  down 
to  the  city;  while  there  they  obtained  some  of  the  liquid 
that  cheers  the  despondent  and  tends  to  brush  away  in 
the  mind  of  him  who  imbibes  it  the  line  of  distinction 
between  the  officer  and  the  private.  By  the  time  they 
returned  to  camp  they  were  in  that  condition  that  they 
received  orders  from  no  one  unless  they  were  in  writing 
and  countersigned  by  the  Department  Commander. 
Kendall  went  with  the  Orderly  to  Col.  Lippincott's 
quarters.  Shortly  after  arriving  there  the  cook  called 
the  headquarters  mess  to  supper.  Kendall  and  the 
Orderly  responded  promptly  to  the  call.  The  colored 
cook  remonstrated  with  them,  but  the  cook  not  having 
the  properly  signed  credentials,  he  was  brushed  aside 
and  they  commenced  to  eat  the  official  supper. 

Col.  Lippincott  was  the  first  of  the  mess  to  arrive. 
On  seeing  the  boys  helping  themselves  to  the  supper, 
he  demanded  of  the  cook  what  such  an  intrusion 
meant.  The  cook,  fearful  of  the  wrath  to  come,  re 
plied,  "Fore  the  Lord,  Massa  Colonel,  I  done  told  them 
that  it  was  you  all's  suppah-  that  you  all  would  whope 
me  sure  if  they  fetched  that  suppah ;  then,  Massa 
Colonel,  they  jest  kicked  me  outen  the  tent  and  went 
right  to  the  eaten'  jest  lack  as  if  they  all  done  ordered 
the  suppah  hisself. "  Kendall  and  the  Orderly  had 
paid  no  attention  to  the  intrusion  of  the  Colonel  or  the 
cook's  explanation,  but  were  enjoying  the  supper  as 
only  hungry,  hilarious  soldiers  could  enjoy  good  things 
that  seldom  came  in  their  way.  The  Colonel  in  aston 
ishment  demanded  of  the  Orderly  what  such  an  un 
heard  of  thing  meant.  He,  realizing  more  fully  the 
.situation,  kept  quiet,  while  Kendall  arose  from  the 
table  and  in  a  patronizing  manner  waved  his  hand  at 


the  table  and  said,  "Ah  ha,  Colonel,  glad  to  see  you 
and  the  other  fellers.  Cook  has  done  himself  proud  to 
night.  Sit  right  up,  there  is  plenty  for  all.  Now, 
now,  Colonel,  no  excuses— you  are  perfectly  welcome, 
there  is  plenty  for  all ;  sit  right  up  and  help  your 
selves. "  Then  he  sat  down  and  continued  his  supper, 
just  as  though  there  had  been  no  interruption  of  that 
pleasant  occupation.  By  this  time  the  Colonel's  aston 
ishment  had  given  place  to  his  wrath  at  such  high 
handed  conduct.  In  no  uncertain  tones  he  ordered  the 
men  from  the  tent.  They  not  complying  readily,  he 
called  the  headquarters  guard  to  enforce  the  command, 
saying,  "I  will  give  this  fellow  a  lesson  in  manners. 
It  is  evident  he  never  had  any  taught  to  him."  The 
Orderly  went  away  quietly,  but  Kendall's  dignity  was 
insulted  and  he  attempted  to  argue  the  matter.  He  had 
not  finished  his  supper.  Such  violent  conduct  on  the 
part  of  the  Colonel  was  a  severe  breach  of  hospitality 
and  he  wanted  an  explanation.  This  the  Colonel  pro 
ceeded  to  do  by  ordering  the  Sergeant  of  the  Guard  to 
tie  Kendall  to  a  tree  near  his  tent  door.  This  did  not 
check  Kendall's  remonstrance  to  such  unseemly  treat 
ment,  and  the  Sergeant  was  told  to  gag  him  and  let 
him  remain  tied  to  the  tree  all  night.  Just  before  the 
gag  was  applied  Kendall  called  out,  "Say,  you,  Colonel, 
I  thought  your  onion  patch  was  in  Missouri ;  I  did  not 
see  your  onion  signs  around  here;  if  I  had —  The 
gag  shut  off  further  comment  by  Kendall. 

The  Sergeant  of  the  Guard  was  from  E  Company, 
and  taking  pity  on  Kendall,  provided  him  with  a  rub 
ber  blanket  and  tied  him  in  such  a  manner  that  he 
could  slip  the  rope  down  the  tree  and  sit  down  on  the 
ground.  After  dark  one  of  the  boys  that  had  come  to 
see  Kendall  brought  him,  at  Kendall's  request,  a  quan 
tity  of  stones  about  the  size  of  an  egg.  These  Kendall 
secreted  for  future  use.  The  shape  of  Kendall's  hand 
was  such  that  he  could  slip  his  wrists  out  of  the  con 
finement  and  put  them  back  again  without  disturbing 
the  tieing.  The  guard  was  instructed  to  watch  Kendall 
carefully  that  no  one  could  cut  him  loose  during  the 
night.  The  Colonel  wanted  the  lesson  to  be  a  severe 
one.  Perhaps  he  did  not  admire  the  onion  scent  that 


220 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


LUKE  DICKERMAN,  1861. 
Youngest  man  in  Company  at  organization. 


LUKE  DICKERMAN,  1902. 
Sergeant  "A"  Company. 


HENRY  A.  WHITNEY. 
Sergeant  "A"  Company. 


JOHN  D.  KING. 
Corporal  "A"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


221 


permeated  the  air  early  in  the  evening.  When  the 
Colonel  was  ready  to  retire  for  the  night,  before  the 
candle  was  put  out,  Kendall  slipped  his  hand  out  of 
the  tie,  waited  until  the  guard's  back  was  towards  him, 
then  he  threw  a  stone  at  the  tent  flap.  In  it  went— 
out  came  the  Colonel.  After  listening  a  few  minutes 
he  asked  the- guard  if  he  had  seen  any  one  around  his 
tent.  He  being  assured  that  no  one  was  seen,  went  in 
side  the  tent.  In  a  short  time  another  stone  went 
through  the  tent  door.  This  time  the  Colonel  walked 
around  the  tent  and  listened,  cautioned  the  guard  to  be 
more  watchful,  went  over  to  where  Kendall  was 
crouched  on  the  ground  snoring,  and,  to  all  intents  and 
purposes,  sound  asleep.  The  Colonel  went  back  into 
his  tent,  and  when  all  was  quiet— whack  !  went  another 
stone  into  the  tent.  By  this  time  the  Colonel  was 
angry,  and  in  language  more  forcible  than  appropriate, 
ordered  out  the  guard  to  search  for  prowlers.  He  went 
over  to  where  Kendall  was  sleeping,  shook  him  by  the 
shoulder,  saw  that  he  was  tied  by  the  wrists  to  the 
tree,  and  demanded  of  him  if  he  had  seen  any  one 
around  the  tent.  Kendall  played  the  half-drunk  sleepy 
act  to  perfection.  The  Colonel,  after  vainly  trying  to 
arouse  him,  left  him  with  the  remark  to  the  guard, 


"He  is  too  drunk  to  know  anything."  He  fixed  the 
light  in  his  tent  so  as  to  indicate  he  had  gone  to  bed ; 
then  he  came  out,  seated  himself  in  the  shade  of  the 
tent  and  awaited  developments.  Kendall  watched  him 
closely  but  maintained  his  apparent  drunken  stupor. 
After  an  hour  or  more  Lippincott  went  inside  of  the 
tent  and  a  stone  followed  him.  This  time  it  knocked 
over  the  candle,  and  Lippincott  came  charging  outside, 
cursing  the  guard  for  his  carelessness  and  threatening 
all  kinds  of  vengeance  on  the  stone  thrower  when  he 
caught  him.  Poor,  innocent  Kendall,  learning  his  les 
son  in  manners,  lay  in  an  uncomfortable  position  en 
joying  the  Colonel's  discomfiture.  Kendall  managed 
to  use  several  more  stones  during  the  night.  He  was 
examined  again,  but  his  bonds  were  all  right  and  his 
seeming  drunken  condition  precluded  his  knowing 
anything  about  that  or  any  other  trouble.  He  was  not 
the  only  uncomfortable  person  in  and  around  that  tent. 
In  the  morning  Kendall  was  admonished  to  be  more 
careful  as  to  what  he  drank.  This  he  promised,  and 
was  ordered  to  quarters.  Lippincott,  during  the  ser 
vice,  never  found  out  who  threw  the  stones.  The  les 
son  in  manners  seemed  to  have  been  equally  applied 
without  distinction  to  official  position. 


THE  FIRING  ON  STEAMBOATS  AT  BOLIVAR  AND  PRENTISS. 
WHY  PRENTISS  WAS  BURNED. 


[Special  Correspondence  of  the  Missouri  Democrat.] 


The  purpose  of  this  expedition,  consisting  of  the  ram, 
Queen  of  the  West,  and  the  latan,  was  to  destroy  flat- 
boats,  skiffs,  and  other  small  craft,  which,  it  was  re 
ported,  were  being  used  in  the  neighborhood  of  Eunice 
(140  miles  below  Helena)  for  crossing  rebel  forces  into 
Arkansas.  The  Alhambra  went  for  cotton,  a  lot  of  120 
bales  having  been  bought  at  Cypress  Bend  by  a  Mr. 
Heiskell,  a  cotton  speculator  at  Helena,  who  took  this 
opportunity  of  sending  the  Alhambra  under  convoy  of 
the  latan  and  the  ram,  Queen  of  the  West ;  the  ram  was 
armed  with  a  couple  of  howitzers,  and  the  latan  had 
another.  There  was  also  a  company  of  the  33rd  Illinois 
Infantry  on  each  boat,  the  latan  and  the  Alhambra. 

On  the  14th,  as  they  were  passing  Prentiss,  Miss., 
they  were  fired  upon  by  about  100  men  who  were  con 
cealed  behind  the  levee  in  front  of  the  town.  The  boats 
were  running  close  to  the  shore  at  the  time,  and  two 
soldiers  and  a  negro  fireman  were  killed.  The  boats 
immediately  replied  with  shells  from  the  howitzers, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  drove  the  rebels  off.  The  soldiers 
then  landed  and  Col.  Lippincott,  who  was  in  com 
mand,  sent  word  to  the  people  of  Prentiss  that  he  would 
give  them  just  half  an  hour  to  remove  their  women 
and  children,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  should  de 
stroy  the  town.  After  waiting  half  an  hour,  the  prin 


cipal  buildings  were  fired,  and  in  a  few  hours  the  fif 
teen  or  twenty  buildings  which  composed  the  town 
were  completely  destroyed.  The  boats  then  proceeded 
down  the  river,  the  Alhambra  stopping  at  Cypress  Bend 
to  take  on  the  cotton,  the  other  boats  going  on  down  to 
Eunice,  where  they  destroyed  a  lot  of  flat  boats. 

On  their  return  they  anchored  in  the  middle  of  the 
river  at  nightfall  a  short  distance  below  Bolivar,  which 
is  a  short  distance  below  Prentiss.  The  body  of  men 
which  had  fired  on  the  boats  at  Prentiss  were  a  detach 
ment  of  a  larger  force,  a  part  of  whom  were  said  to  be 
Stark's  Mississippi  regiment.  The  rebels,  having 
heard  of  the  affair  at  Prentiss,  came  in  with  the  inten 
tion  of  attacking  the  boats  at  Bolivar  on  their  way 
back.  A  negro  ran  away  from  Bolivar,  managed  to  get 
out  to  the  boats  during  the  night  and  gave  information 
of  the  intended  attack.  Just  above  the  town  the  chan 
nel  was  very  close  to  the  Mississippi  bank  throughout  a 
long  bend  in  the  river.  In  the  present  stage  of  the 
water,  the  bank  is  about  forty  feet  high.  On  top  of 
this  the  levee  forms  an  admirable  breastwork,  so  that 
the  passage  of  the  boats  was  in  reality  equivalent  to 
running  past  a  fort.  In  this  bend  the  rebels,  to  the 
number  of  2000,  with  three  six-pound  field  pieces,  at 
tacked  the  boats.  The  boats  fought  at  a  great  disad- 


222 


REMTNTSCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


vantage  on  account  of  the  bank  being  so  high,  all  the 
shots  they  tired  either  striking  the  bank  or  going  over 
the  rebels'  heads,  the  enemy  keeping  out  of  sight,  only 
when  they  showed  their  heads  in  firing.  Even  their 
field  pieces  could  only  be  seen  when  they  would  run 
them  up  on  the  top  of  the  levee  to  fire  them,  drawing 
them  back  as  soon  as  they  had  tired.  The  only  way  the 
boats  could  give  any  effective  return  fire  was  with  very 
short  fuse  shells  from  the  howitzers.  The  disadvantage, 
however,  was  too  great,  and  the  boats  were  crowded  in 
as  close  to  the  bank  as  possible,  so  that  the  rebels'  can 
non  could  not  be  brought  to  bear  from  the  top  of  the 
high,  perpendicular  bank.  In  this  manner  the  hulls 
and  cabins  escaped  many  shot,  but  the  chimneys  and 
pilot  houses  were  completely  riddled.  The  Alhambra 
being  on  the  outside,  got  about  a  dozen  shots  through 
her  chimneys,  and  thirty  or  forty  more— some  six- 
pound  cannon  balls— through  her  texas  and  pilot  house. 
The  boats  put  on  full  steam  to  run  the  guantlet,  and  got 
out  of  the  bend  as  quickly  as  possible,  the  rebels  follow 
ing  up  along  the  bank  for  two  miles.  Two  soldiers 
were  killed  on  the  latan,  and  another  wounded,  but 
considering  the  immense  disadvantage  at  which  they 
fought,  it  was  wonderful  that  they  escaped  without 
greater  loss. 


The  rebels  were  commanded  by  Mcdfuire,  who  is  the 
rebel  Provost  Marshal  of  Bolivar  county,  so  the  negro 
said  who  brought  the  information  of  the  intended  at 
tack.  Col.  Lippincott,  hearing  that  McGuire  owned  a 
plantation  opposite  Napoleon,  landed  there,  and  finding 
proof  that  he  was  in  command  of  the  rebel  force  at  Bol 
ivar,  his  house  was  burned.  The  boats  reached  Helena 
without  further  incident. 

W.  L.  F. 

Memphis,  Tenn.,  Sept.  24,  1862. 

[By  way  of  explanation  for  the  burning  of  Prentiss, 
it  should  be  stated  that  the  rebels  had  frequently  fired 
on  unarmed  boats  from  the  banks  of  the  river.  This 
was  often  done  from  in  front  of  the  little  towns,  they 
no  doubt  thinking  that  their  fire  would  not  be  re 
turned  on  account  of  danger  to  non-combatants. 
Sometimes  to  make  their  firing  more  effective  they  sig 
nalled  the  boat  to  make  a  landing,  then  when  near  the 
shore  fired  on  the  unarmed  boat.  The  people  of  the 
towns  along  the  river  had  been  notified  that  if  they 
permitted  such  work  or  harbored  those  that  did  it,  such 
towns  would  be  destroyed.  Colonel  Lippincott  was  act 
ing  under  such  an  order  when  Prentiss  was  burned. — 
V.  G.  Way.-} 


OVER  THE  HILLS  TO  VICKSBURG. 


By  B.  J.  WAKEMAN. 

It  is  two  score  years  or  more  in  May 
Since  you  boys,  so  nimble,  blithe  and  gay, 
Who  belonged  to  the  Normal  Thirty-third, 
The  crash  of  that  awful  battle  heard. 
You  were  hunting  for  rebs,  and  found  them,  .too; 
They  dared  you  to  take  their  bonnie  blue; 
Said  they,  you  Northern  Yankee  thieves, 
You  can  never  capture  Vicksburg. 

But  the  Thirty-third  went  there  to  stay  ; 

You  watched  by  night,  and  fought  by  day ; 

For  forty  days  and  forty  nights 

You  hammered  away  at  Southern  rights. 

On  its  deadly  mission,  tons  of  lead 

Out  from  the  mouths  of  your  rifles  sped  ; 

Freedom,  or  death,  was  the  watchword  then, 

As  you  followed  your  flag  to  Vicksburg. 

Although  your  locks  are  silvered  with  grey, 
You  will  certainly  never  forget  the  day 
When  you  advanced  to  that  dangerous  spot 
Mid  bursting  shells  and  solid,  shot ; 
With  canister,  grape,  and  cannon -ball 
We  thought  they  would  surely  kill  you  all, 
As  over  the  hilKs  you  fought  your  way, 
With  your  colors  flying  at  Vicksburg. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY,  223 

Up  into  that  raging  fire  of  hell, 
Where  many  a  noble  comrade  fell, 
Your  regiment  went  with  a  steady  tread 
Into  that  pitiless  storm  of  lead  ; 
While  red-mouthed  cannon  blazed  away, 
Making  wide  gaps  in  your  ranks  that  day. 
Ah,  boys,  'twas  no  play,  but  terribly  real, 
When  you  faced  that  fire  at  Vicksburg. 

The  hissing  sound  of  the  searching  shell, 

The  piercing  tone  of  the  rebel  yell, 

The  deafening  crash  and  the  cannons  roar, 

Comrades  falling,  to  rise  no  more — 

Pen  nor  tongue  can  ever  portray 

The  sights  and  sounds  of  that  awful  day, 

For  many  a  last  farewell  was  given 

On  the  deadly  field  of  Vicksburg. 

Your  color  guard,  brave  Company  E, 
Defended  the  flag  most  gloriously  ; 
They  went  to  battle  that  sad  May  day 
In  their  uniforms  bright  and  gay  ; 
But  alas!  at  roll  call,  'tis  sad  to  say, 
All  but  one  had  been  swept  away ; 
But  we'll  keep  in  memory  evermore 
Their  valorous  deeds  at  Vicksburg. 

From  Warrenton,  sixteen  miles  or  more 
To  the  bluffs,  on  the  Mississippi  shore, 
Three  hundred  cannon  did  loudly  peal, 
While  from  over  the  works  the  shining  steel 
In  the  hands  of  a  foe  who  would  not  yield 
Made  a  ghastly  scene  on  that  bloody  field, 
As  on  you  charged  to  the  very  edge 
Of  the  parapet  at  Vicksburg. 

From  ten  o'clock  till  the  close  of  day 
The  hills  re-echoed  the  mighty  fray; 
The  deadly  saber  and  bayonet  thrust 
Made  many  a  hero  bite  the  dust. 
From  Warrenton  heights  to  the  river  Yazoo 
The  field  was  strewn  with  the  Union  blue, 
And  the  Thirty-third  for  their  country's  Hag 
Gave  many  brave  boys  at  Vicksburg. 

But  this  was  the  saddest  of  all  to  you, 
When  you  went  out  to  bury  the  boys  in  blue ; 
Where  the  sweet  arbutus  and  mosses  thrive 
You  found  some  comrades  still  alive; 
Three  long,  hot  days  among  the  dead, 
Not  a  drop  of  water,  or  crumb  of  bread, 
With  their  swollen  wounds  alive  with  worms, 
They  had  lain  there  suffering  at  Vicksburg. 

Boys  and  girls,  when  these  lines  you  see, 

Think  of  the  heroes  of  sixty-three 

Who  fought  for  the  Union  and  liberty, 

That  the  flag  of  our  Nation  might  wave  o'er  the  free ; 

Of  the  sixteen  thousand  so  loyal  and  true 

Who  gave  up  their  lives  for  country,  and  you ; 

In  their  blood-stained  blue  they  are  sleeping 

On  those  southern  hills  at  Vicksburg. 


224 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


DANIEL  D.  CARPENTER,  1864. 
Corporal  "A"  Company. 


DANIEL  D.  CARPENTER,  1902. 


ELISHA  BURROWS. 
Corporal  "A"  Co.    Capt.  58th  U.  S.  C.  I. 


SELAH  B.  FARWELL. 
"A"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


225 


COTTON  GATHERING. 


On  the  morning  of  August  3rd,  1862,  three  companies 
under  command  of  Col.  Hovey  were  camped  at  Wil 
kinson's  Landing,  Miss.  Thirty-three  men  of  Com 
pany  A,  under  cormmnd  of  Lieut.  Burnham,  were 
ordered  to  proceed  to  Dri-sdule's  plantation,  about  three 
miles  to  the  southeast,  as  advance  guard  of  the  wagon 
train,  take  possession  of  the  cotton  gin  at  that  planta 
tion,  and  hold  it  until  the  remainder  of  the  force  should 
arrive  with  the  wagons.  Arriving  there,  Corporal 
Bovee,  with  Montgomery  and  myself,  were  detailed  as 
part  of  the  picket  guard.  On  the  west,  at  a  distance 
of  perhaps  100  yards  from  the  gin  and  the  house,  was 
a  bayou  running  from  northeast  to  southwest  around 
the  gin,  and  south  of  it  was  a  field  of  corn  just  coming 
into  the  tassel.  The  cotton  gin  was  perhaps  100  yards 
south  of  the  house.  The  house  was  a  one-story,  with  a 
porch  on  the  east  of  it.  Near  this  porch  and  around  the 
house  some,  or  most,  of  the  boys  had  left  their  guns.  Be 
tween  the  house  and  gin  was  a  high  stake  and  rider 
rail  fence  with  an  opening  for  teams  to  pass.  When 
we  arrived  at  the  gin  we  stopped  to  look  it  over. 
Neither  Lieut.  Burnham  nor  any  one  else  supposed  for 
one  moment  that  there  were  any  rebels  within  miles  of 
this  place.  I  recollect  distinctly  of  Burnham  saying 
to  Bovee  that  perhaps  we  better  move  out  to  our  post. 

At  this  time  quite  a  number  of  boys  had  arrived  at 
the  gin.  They  had  stacked  their  guns  at  the  house. 
Bovee, Montgomery  and  myself  went  south  in  a  road  left 
in  the  cornfield.  On  arriving  at  the  south  edge  and  per 
haps  200  yards  from  the  timber  that  skirted  the  planta 
tion,  imagine  our  amazement  to  see  a  large  number  of 
cavalry  horses  held  by  the  fourth  man,  the  other  men 
not  in  sight,  of  course.  We  took  in  the  situation  at  a 
glance.  They  were  in  the  cornfield  stealing  a  march 
on  our  boys.  We  turned  and  retraced  our  steps  as  rap 
idly  as  possible  towards  the  gin.  We  had  not  gone  half 
way  when  we  saw  the  rebs  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
one  by  one  crossing  the  road  ahead  of  us,  stringing  out 
towards  the  west  with  a  view  of  surrounding  the  gin 
and  house.  Corporal  Bovee  still  thought  it  possible 
that  if  we  ran  west  along  the  corn  rows  we  might  head 
them  off  and  reach  the  company..  We  thought  it  not 
best  to  fire  as  a  warning,  but  ran  rapidly  in  this  direc 
tion.  We  did  succeed  in  getting  about  opposite  the 
cotton  gin,  but  the  rebs  were  still  between  us  and 
the  gin. 

At  this  time  the  firing  began  by  the  rebs  at  our  boys 
at  the  gin.  Lieut.  Burnham,  with  the  boys,  started 
rapidly  for  the  house  and  the  fence.  At  the  gin,^or 

20 


near  it,  Comrade  Straight  was  wounded.  He  emptied 
his  gun  at  the  rebs  before  he  was  shot.  When  shot  he 
feigned  death ;  in  fact  I  believed  him  dead  when  I  saw 
him  lying  there.  In  the  meantime  we  had  fired  into 
the  rebs  and  they  had  returned  the  fire  at  short  range. 
Corporal  Bovee  was  wounded  and  nearly  helpless  at 
first  fire.  Montgomery  was  wounded,  but  not  helpless. 
As  the  rebs  pressed  our  boys  towards  the  house  and 
fence,  Bovee  hid  in  the  gin.  Lewis,  Whitney  and 
others  who  had  been  at  the  gin  stopped  at  the  fence 
and  fired  rapidly  at  the  "Johnnies",  hoping  to  make 
them  seek  cover.  Corporal  Lewis  was  killed  at  nearly 
the  first  fire.  He  simply  said  to  Whitney,  who  was 
near  him,  "I  am  shot."  And  so  one  of  the  bravest 
and  best  of  soldiers  was  "dropped  from  the  ranks". 

We  believed  the  cornfield  to  be  full  of  rebs.  To  re 
treat  was  impossible — the  bayou  on  one  side  and  rebs 
on  the  other.  There  seemed  no  safety  for  Montgomery 
and  myself,  only  to  reach  the  company.  Montgomery 
was  now  wounded  twice.  I  alone  was  unhurt;  my 
musket  useless.  A  ball  was  lodged  between  the  barrel 
and  ramrod;  the  gun  knocked  out  of  my  hands.  We 
were  near  Straight,  and  I,  believing  him  dead,  picked 
up  his  gun,  and  again  Montgomery  and  I  pushed  for 
the  fence.  The  rebs  were  all  around  us.  I  had  to  half 
carry  Montgomery,  and  helping  him  over  the  fence  I 
lost  my  gun.  To  this  day  it  seems  to  me  that  that  was 
really  the  highest  fence  1  ever  saw.  When  we  alighted 
on  the  other  side  we  were  within  20  feet  of  some  of  our 
boys.  Montgomery  received  two  more  wounds  here 
and  I  helped  him  behind  a  stump  only  large  enough 
for  him,  or  I  too  would  have  been  glad  to  have  taken 
shelter  with  him.  Our  boys  sought  cover  wherever 
they  could  find  it,  but  held  their  own.  We  were  left 
alone.  I  had  only  my  revolver.  Rebels  seemed  to  be 
everywhere.  A  reb  grabbed  my  revolver  and  I  went 
with  him.  Montgomery  jumped  up  and  they  took  him 
when  we  passed  the  gin.  The  cry  of  the  rebs  was, 
"Let's  burn  the  gin  !"  "Fire  the  gin  !"  Bovee  would 
have  been  safe,  but  for  fear  of  the  fire  he  ran  out  and 
was  captured.  Just  what  the  result  would  have  been  it 
is  hard  to  tell,  for  the  rebs  outnumbered  us  three  or 
four  to  one ;  but  the  other  companies  hearing  the  firing 
came  on  double  quick.  The  rebs  believed  a  large  force 
was  coming  and  beat  a  hasty  retreat  with  their  pris 
oners. 

W7hen  we  arrived  at  the  place  where  their  horses  were 
hitched,  the  prisoners  were  all  put  up,  each  behind  a 
reb,  on  their  horses,  and  taken  to  their  camp  several 


226 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


ALBERT  O.  MARSHALL. 
"A"  Company. 


BENJAMIN  P.  CONRY. 
"A"  Company. 


WILLIAM  J.  HESTER. 
"A"  Company. 


JOHN  J.  BLOOM. 

134th  111.,  124th  111.,  and  "A"  Co.,  33rd  111. 
18  years  old  at  time  of  discharge. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY.  227 

miles  south,  where  their  surgeon,  who,  by  the  way,  stand  firm.  Of  the  negroes  who  were  helping  us  with 
was  a  classmate  of  Dr.  Rex,  surgeon  of  the  33rd,  dressed  the  cotton,  one  was  killed  and  two  were  wounded.  The 
the  wounds  of  the  prisoners  and  treated  them  very  Mississippians  were  armed  with  the  Sharp  rifle,  revol- 
kindly.  We  learned  that  this  was  the  First  Mississippi  vers  and  a  saber.  They  were  friendly  toward  us  and 
Cavalry,  one  of  the  best  regiments  in  the  south.  We  said  we  ought  not  to  be  fighting  each  other,  as  they 
were  taken  prisoners  during  the  existence  of  a  cartel,  considered  Illinois  and  Indiana  men  as  brethren  and 
at  which  time  all  prisoners  were  paroled  and  returned  their  equals,  but  the  Yankees  were  not.  Col.  Hovey, 
to  their  commands.  We  were  therefore  paroled  and  sent  with  Companies  C  and  G  and  a  company  of  the  oth 
under  escort  to  our  regiment.  Had  we  been  captured  a  Illinois  Cavalry,  which  had  just  arrived  at  the  land- 
week  before  or  a  week  later  we  would  doubtless  have  been  ing,  followed  the  rebels  for  some  distance,  but  only  a 
sent  to  Andersonville,  as  the  cartel  only  lasted  ten  days.  few  shots  were  exchanged.  The  cotton  was  loaded  on 

I  remember,  more  than   any  other  one,  Lieut.  Burn-  the  wagons  and  taken  to  the  landing, 
ham,  as  he  rallied  his  men  and   encouraged    them  to  S.  B.  FARW'ELL,  "A"  Company. 


THE  THIRTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS. 

A  nation  weeps  for  fallen  heroes 
That  have  gone  to  rest  to  rise  no  more, 
Who  died  in  defence  of  country's  honor 
In  the  ranks  of  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

O,  maiden,  weep  for  your  bright-eyed  lover, 
For  he  will  return  to  you  no  more; 
He  fell  with  his  country's  banner  o'er  him 
In  the  charge  of  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

Widow,  watch  for  your  absent  husband, 
Who  in  his  heart  your  image  bore; 
He  nobly  went  at  the  call  of  duty 
And  died  in  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

Mother,  wait  for  your  offspring's  coming; 
His  country's  flag  he  proudly  bore; 
He  was  one  well  worthy  of  your  blessing, 
But  he  fell  in  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

Fathers,  read  of  the  desperate  struggle 
And  think  of  him  twelve  months  before 
That  you  bid  to  go  and  do  his  duty 
In  the  ranks  of  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

Weep,  father,  mother,  sister,  brother, 

For  absent  ones  you'll  see  no  more; 

Your  cheeks  will  pale  when  you  hear  the  carnage 

That  befell  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

Friends  at  home,  be  not  discouraged, 
Although  the  deafening  cannon  roar  ; 
We'll  avenge  the  blood  that  flowed  at  Vicksburg 
From  braves  in  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

Farewell  to  home,  farewell  to  kindred ; 
We  have  pledged  ourselves  for  three  years  more; 
We  will  each  be  in  at  the  death  of  treason 
Or  perish  in  the  13th  Army  Corps. 

—  W.  M.  S.,  Co.  K.,  Sept.  13,  1864. 


228 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  MOBILE  CAMPAIGN. 


When  we  were  assigned  to  the  Mobile  expedition  the 
orders  read  "In  light  marching  order."  We  joined  our 
command  at  a  point  on  Fish  river.  Each  individual 
outfit  consisted  of  rifle,  equipments  with  45  rounds  of 
ammunition  (12  pounds),  five  days'  rations  of  bread, 
meat  and  sugar  (o  pounds),  knapsack  with  blankets 
and  a  piece  of  shelter  tent  (13  pounds) —total  30  pounds. 
To  this  was  added  three  axes  and  three  shovels  to  each 
company.  All  this  we  had  to  carry  because  we  were 
limited  to  one  wagon  to  the  company  to  carry  company 
cooking  utensils,  heavy  rations  and  company  head 
quarters'  goods.  This  pack  train  "in  light  marching 
order"  went  on  its  way  to  shoot  them  if  they  were 
bears,  or  dig  them  out  if  woodchucks.  We  dug  them 
out,  but  they  showed  their  teeth  for  several  days  at  the 
entrance  of  their  holes,  which  smelt  so  strongly  of  sul 
phur  that  it  reminded  me  of  the  word  pictures  of 
"Hell"  that  the  good  old  Methodist  preachers  held  up 
for  the  boys  to  look  at  in  the  protracted  meetings  "be 
fore  the  war". 

General  Smith  proposed  to  make  this  a  sure  thing. 
Every  evening  before  camping  each  brigade  was 
formed  in  a  square  and  a  defensible  line  of  earthworks 
thrown  up  in  front.  Thus  we  marked  each  day's  ad 
vance  by  leaving  to  the  natives  good  serviceable  stock 
corrals  for  their  future  use.  Some  of  them  were  quite 
well  bedded  by  clothing  and  blankets  left  by  the  boys 
to  relieve  their  tired  shoulders.  This  was  our  first  ex 
perience  in  General  Smith's  method  of  warfare.  It 
had  some  good  points,  but  many  tired  ones  also.  Later 
we  found  that  Smith's  men  never  carried  knapsacks. 
He  could  be  trusted  to  load  the  men  heavy  enough 
without  them. 

The  Johnnies  did  not  put  up  much  of  a  fight  on  the 
way  to  the  defenses  of  Mobile.  Our  shovels  were  in 
nice  working  order  when  we  put  up  the  first  line  of 
fence  surrounding  them.  It  was  pig  tight,  man  high 
and  Johnny  strong.  They  tried  to  knock  it  down  with 
shells  from  well-trained  guns,  but  it  was  there  to  stay. 
When  it  was  completed  we  built  another  one  much 
nearer  the  forts.  They  had  good  works  and  we  thought 
they  should  be  protected.  In  building  the  second 
line,  men  with  one  day's  ration  of  raw  pork  and  crack 
ers  in  their  haversacks  and  their  canteen  of  water,  were 
placed  in  the  night  where  the  line  was  to  be,  and  told 
to  dig.  "We  were  in  the  line  of  fire  from  both  sides. 
The  Johnnies,  suspecting  what  we  were  doing,  made 
the  situation  interesting.  The  quicker  we  had  a  pile  of 
dirt  in  front  of  us,  the  better.  By  morning  these  piles 


were  connected  into  respectable  earthworks.  We  had 
worked  very  quietly.  All  commands  had  been  passed 
along  the  line  in  whispers.  We  could  not  get  back  to 
the  outer  works;  neither  could  a  relief  get  to  us.  We 
could  not  make  a  fire,  therefore  the  meat  was  eaten 
raw.  The  Johnnies  were  stationed  in  tree  tops  over 
looking  us,  and  they  made  things  very  unpleasant,  but 
still  the  work  went  on.  We  did  not  attempt  to  shoot, 
but  just  dug. 

"Our  shovels  shone  bright  in  the  morning 
When  Canby  mun-hed  around  to  the  bay." 

As  we  would  not  expose  ourselves  by  attempting  to 
return  the  fire  the  Johnnies  were  pouring  into  us,  they 
attempted  to  drive  us  out  by  dropping  small  bomb 
shells  along  our  line.  Many  of  these— if  the  fuse  was 
not  burned  too  short — were  picked  up  by  the  boys  and 
thrown  over  the  works.  These  bombs  had  an  unpleas 
ant  habit  of  exploding  and  tearing  holes  in  our  embank 
ment.  We  did  not  want  our  work  spoiled.  As  these 
bombs  came  circling  slowly  to  us,  we  could  readily  see 
them.  If  they  were  dangerous,  some  one  near  where 
they  would  light  would  cry  "Down!"  and  those  near 
the  intruder  would  fall  flat  until  the  bomb  had  accom 
plished  its  mission. 

Long  before  night  the  canteen  of  water  was  exhaust 
ed.  Eaw  salt  pork  and  crackers  demand  plenty  of 
water.  We  worked  steadily ;  all  day  the  hot  sun  shin 
ing  upon  us  increased  our  discomfort.  It  was  fire  with 
out,  fire  within,  and  fire  all  around  us.  By  the  time 
our  relief  arrived,  some  time  during  the  second  night, 
we  had  made  a  ditch  sufficiently  wide  and  deep  to  pro 
tect  us  against  anything  but  shells. 

The  land  in  front  of  the  forts  sloped  back  towards  our 
outer  lines.  It  had  been  covered  by  a  growth  of  large 
trees.  They  had  been  fallen  tops  outward.  The  tops  were 
then  trimmed  and  sharpened.  This  brush  fence  was 
continuous,  and  as  if  this  was  not  sufficient  protection, 
medium  sized  logs  had  been  wired  together  at  the  ends. 
They  were  supported  about  two  feet  from  the  ground  by 
sharpened  stakes  which  passed  through  the  logs  in  such 
a  manner  that  any  way  we  might  roll  them,  they  pre 
sented  a  row  of  pointed  stakes  so  close  together  that  a 
man  could  not  pass  between  them.  Inside  of  this  de 
fense  and  the  ditch  around  the  forts,  torpedoes  had 
been  planted.  From  this  planting  they  expected  to 
raise  Yankees  when  they  placed  their  feet  upon  them. 

Between  the  brush  fence  and  the  staked  logs  our  sec 
ond  line  of  works  had  been  placed.  At  one  place  these 
logs  could  not  have  been  more  than  ten  rods  from  our 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


229 


CHARLES  M.  CROCKER. 
"A"  Company. 


HENRY  W.  SMITH. 
"A"  Company. 


NELSON  G.  GILL,  1900. 

Captain  "B"  Co. 
Postmaster,  San  Bernardino,  Gala. 


FRANK  MOREY. 
1st  Sergeant  "B"  Company. 

Captain  92nd  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Adjutant  General  U.  S.  V. 

Member  of  Congress  5th  La.  Dist. 


230 


REMINISCENCES  E  Y  CO  ME  A  DEN. 


line.  It  was  near  an  angle  of  one  of  the  forts.  The 
soldier  likes  ornaments,  but  that  log  work  was  not  a 
suitable  necklace  for  our  inside  line  of  offense.  When 
this  line  of  works  was  sufficiently  strong,  some 
of  the  boys  went  out  in  the  night,  cut  the  wire  uniting 
the  logs,  tied  ropes  to  several  sections,  then  they  were 
drawn  into  our  lines.  Just  why  the  Johnnies  did  not 
rush  our  inner  line  I  cannot  understand,  unless  our 
audacity  in  climbing  in  at  the  transom  over  the  door 
they  had  so  securely  locked  intimidated  them. 

By  that  time  also  our  artillery  was  in  position.  The 
fire  they  could  send  in  over  our  heads  would  not  have 
been  comfortable.  Their  sharpshooters  were  a  dangerous 
quantity.  They  had  a  complete  range  of  our  lines  further 
out  even  than  our  outer  works.  Thus  far  we  had  been 
unable  to  dislodge  them.  Our  rifles  would  not  carry 
with  accuracy  the  distance  they  were  from  us.  They 
used  a  rifle  called  the  "Yager".  It  shot  a  long  brass 
tipped  ball.  A  Rodman  gun  under  the  charge  of  an  ar 
tilleryman  that  could  make  bull's  eye  shots  was  placed 
in  position  to  command  those  fellows  in  the  tree  tops 
who  had  been  handing  those  long  bullets  to  us  in  the 
place  of  cards  when  we  called  upon  them.  These  bul 
lets  had  a  peculiar  cry  as  they  hunted  for  a  victim,  that 
was  grating  on  the  nerves. 

One  morning  when  those  fellows  opened  up  for  the  bus 
iness  of  the  day,  the  Hodman  got  them,  one  by  one,  as  the 
smoke  from  their  rifles  revealed  their  position.  After 
completing  this  piece  of  work  the  gun  was  trained  on 
the  "head  logs"  protecting  the  rifle  pits.  As  he  knock 
ed  them  off,  we,  with  ready  rifles,  evened  up  matters  to 
our  satisfaction.  Near  the  outer  line  of  works  sev 
eral  men  were  shot  or  had  narrow  escapes  while  getting 
water  from  the  little  rivulet  close  by. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  I  volunteered  to  go 
to  the  rivulet  for  water.  Taking  several  canteens  I 
started  from  the  works,  stooping  low  to  the  ground. 
As  the  bullets  sang  around  me,  I  shrank  closer  and 
closer  to  mother  earth.  Soon  I  was  crawling,  and  as  I 
lay  flat  on  the  ground  in  a  little  depression,  reaching 
out  to  fill  the  canteens,  the  bullets  as  they  went  by  me 
to  the  bank  on  the  other  side  seemed  to  say,  "I  am  af 
ter  you."  As  I  returned  I  surprised  myself  by  the 
closeness  I  could  get  to  the  ground.  We  had  the  water, 
but  a  shot  across  the  back  cut  some  of  the  canteen 
strings. 

The  Johnnies  had  a  cannon,  and  from  the  way  it 
talked  the  boys  named  it  "Whistling  Dick".  This  was 
done  in  honor  of  its  relative  of  Vicksburg  fame.  Dick 
could  knock  our  batteries  to  pieces  in  any  way  it  wanted 
to  until  we  got  the  heavy  Parrot  guns  in  position,  then  a 
trick  was  put  up  on  the  fellow.  A  gun  in  front  was  to 
draw  his  fire;  then  a  Parrot  was  to  get  him.  It  got 
him.  Just  as  Dick  was  pushed  up  to  the  embrasure, 
before  he  had  spoken  his  piece,  a  shell  hit  him  in  the 
mouth.  Dick's  speaking  days  were  over.  The  cheers 
of  the  boys  along  the  line  for  the  speech  that  was  not 
made  told  the  appreciation  of  the  act. 

One  afternoon  the  Johnnies  had   been  very   spiteful. 


Perhaps  we  were  rubbing  the  hair  the  wrong  way. 
Nothing  we  could  do  would  allay  their  agitation.  Pills 
and  pillets  had  been  freely  given.  An  officer  came 
along  the  line.  He  called  the  attention  of  Grothman 
and  myself  to  a  gun  embrasure  protected  by  a  drop 
screen.  He  said,  "Keep  a  stream  of  bullets  hitting  that 
protection."  After  the  surrender  we  visited  this  par 
ticular  gun  protection.  It  was  made  of  iron.  Bullets 
could  be  gathered  up  by  the  double  handful  where  they 
had  struck  that  iron  screen.  It  was  decidedly  unpleas 
ant  for  the  people  inside  to  respond  to  our  knocks  for 
admission. 

A  battalion  of  recruits,  mostly  substitutes  and  drafted 
men,  had  been  brought  up  from  the  landing.  There 
was  no  place  for  them  in  the  line.  They  were  set  to 
work  making  wicker  work  for  gun  embrasures.  Their 
place  in  the  rear  was  equally  as  dangerous  as  our  own. 
The  shells  passing  over  our  lines  would  invariably  find 
them.  We  could  relieve  our  feelings  by  striking  back. 
They  could  only  talk  and  take  the  punishment.  One 
substitute,  a  German,  graphically  expressed  the  situa 
tion  by  saying,  "I  got  $1500  for  coming  here;  I  gives 
right  away  quick  off  82000  to  get  a  little  while  out." 

Some  gunboats  out  in  the  bay  got  the  range  of  our 
first  line  and  raked  it  with  shells  the  size  of  a  peck 
measure.  As  these  came  tearing  through  the  trees,  cut 
ting  off  one  here  and  there,  we  gave  them  a  wide  berth 
— we  hadn't  lost  any  peck  measures.  It  rather  made  us 
angry  to  have  such  things  thrown  into  our  back  yard.  A 
scheme  was  fixed  up  to  do  away  with  such  unseemly 
conduct.  The  bank  of  the  bay  where  the  boats  lay  was 
quite  abrupt.  It  was  probably  one  hundred  feet  from 
the  water  to  the  top  of  the  bank.  This  bank  was  cov 
ered  with  a  close  growth  of  small  trees.  In  the  night 
a  battery  of  heavy  guns  was  placed  in  position  so  as  to 
bear  on  the  place  occupied  by  the  boats  when  they  made 
their  morning  call.  The  trees  in  front  of  the  guns  were 
cut  off,  but  left  standing  to  conceal  the  battery.  Every 
thing  was  ready  when  two  boats  took  their  accustomed 
place  to  pay  their  respects  to  us.  They  opened  fire. 
Our  battery  was  unmasked.  Soon  one  of  the  boats  float 
ed  a  wreck  with  her  flag  hauled  down.  The  other  one 
managed  to  paddle  out  of  reach,  badly  disabled.  Even 
tually  the  other  boat  floated  out  of  range.  We  had  no 
means  of  taking  possession  of  her.  This  could  hardly 
be  called  politeness  to  receive  a  morning  call  in  this 
manner,  but  we  did  not  like  the  looks  of  their  cards 
they  had  left  at  a  previous  call. 

The  afternoon  of  the  last  day  of  the  siege  had  been  a 
very  active  one  on  our  part.  The  mortars  stationed  in 
a  ravine  in  our  rear  had  been  dropping  shells  "where 
they  would  do  the  most  good"  with  rapidity.  Our 
heavy  guns,  having  got  the  range,  did  great  damage, 
almost  completely  silencing  the  enemy.  The  riflemen 
in  the  front  line  did  their  part  to  make  life  miserable 
for  the  cooped  up  Johnnies.  They  had  done  well,  but 
we  had  done  better.  I  think  it  was  the  first  Indiana 
battery  heavy  artillery  that  was  stationed  in  our  rear — 
the  same  one  that  had  shot  over  the  regiment  at  Vicks- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


231 


burg  and  accidentally  shot  into  us,  leaving  a  mark  that 
time  only  can  efface.  They  had  been  doing  the  same 
thing  here  to  such  an  extent  that  we  protected  ourselves 
against  them  by  splitting  pine  logs  and  laying  them  in 
a  slanting  position  from  the  top  of  our  outside  works  to 
the  outer  edge  of  the  ditch.  This  made  a  fair  protec 
tion  against  pieces  of  iron  from  their  prematurely  ex 
ploded  shells  and  grapeshot.  When  the  racket  com 
menced  we  went  inside  the  bomb-proofs  until  it  was 
over.  The  boys  had  gone  outside  to  cook  supper;  all  at 
once,  like  lightning  from  a  clear  sky,  a  case  of  grape- 
shot  from  one  of  the  guns  in  the  Indiana  battery  ex 
ploded  among  us. 

B,  C,  D  and  E  Companies  received  the  last  shot  tired 
by  that  battery  during  the  siege.  They  saw  a  group  of 
the  Johnnies  and  thought  they  could  reach  them.  Sev 
eral  of  our  men  were  either  killed  or  wounded.  The 
battery-men  sent  explanations  and  regrets.  These  were 
good,  but  they  could  not  return  to  us  our  lost  comrades. 
Just  why  this  battery  was  permitted  to  continuously  do 
this  kind  of  work  is  hard  to  understand.  They  were 
not  to  blame— they  obeyed  orders,  except  that  they 
knew  that  the  particular  gun  that  fired  that  shot  was 
the  one  that  had  cost  most  of  the  trouble  to  us.  Sand- 
ford  Strowbridge  of  B  Co.  was  mortally  wounded.  He 
was  standing  over  me  as  I  was  kneeling  by  the  fire  fry 
ing  some  crackers.  He  was  waiting  for  my  frying  pan 


to  cook  his  supper.  A  grapeshot  struck  him  between 
the  shoulders  and  went  down  into  his  body.  As  they 
carried  him  away  he  said,  "Good  by,  boys."  He  real 
ized  it  was  the  last  farewell  to  the  boys  he  loved  so 
well.  He  was  a  good  soldier  and  universally  respected 
by  all.  He  died  on  the  hospital  boat  that  night.  There 
was  nothing  upon  him  to  identify  him.  He  sleeps  in 
an  unknown  grave  Strowbridge  was  a  substitute.  He 
was  a  poor  man  with  a  family.  By  taking  the  price 
offered  to  him  he  was  enabled  to  buy  a  home.  Virtu 
ally  he  gave  his  life  for  that  home.  Cuvillier  of  C  Co. 
was  mortally  wounded  in  about  the  same  manner.  The 
cries  of  agony  by  that  poor  French  boy  were  heart 
rending.  Lieutenant  Durant's  valise  containing  com 
pany  papers  was  badly  shattered.  The  Lieutenant  was 
very  close  to  the  valise  at  that  time.  To  go  through 
this  terrible  storm  of  shot  and  shell  for  eleven  days,  and 
then  to  be  killed  through  accidental  carelessness,  was 
the  worst  feature  of  the  campaign. 

On  the  Saturday  night  that  we  made  the  advance 
into  their  works,  as  I  jumped  into  that  wide  deep  ditch 
protection  and  was  only  enabled  to  climb  the  embank 
ment  of  the  fort  by  sticking  my  bayonet  into  the 
ground  to  pull  myself  up  to  the  top,  I  fully  realized  the 
soundness  of  General  Canby's  judgment  in  using  shov 
els  instead  of  bayonets  in  the  assault.  Spades  were 
trumps.  In  this  game  he  had  taken  every  trick. 


FORAGING  UNDER  DIFFICULTIES. 


The  afternoon  of  the  day  before  the  battle  of  Cham 
pion's  Hill,  Miss.,  Tom  Hall  and  Johnny  Fezler,  of  B 
Company,  left  the  command  to  do  a  little  foraging. 
They  found  a  deserted  plantation  well  supplied  with 
meat,  preserved  fruit,  and  brandy  peaches.  After  sam 
pling  the  brandy,  the  family  carriage  was 
thought  sufficient  to  carry  the  supplies  to  camp.  In 
looking  through  the  house  they  found  some  silver  knives 
and  forks,  also  a  black  plug  hat  and  long-tailed  black 
coat.  Johnny  put  on  the  hat  and  coat  and  placed  the 
silverware  in  the  back  pockets  of  the  coat.  The  day 
having  been  a  very  fatiguing  one,  they  again  sampled 
the  brandy.  By  that  time  they  thought  best  to  return 
to  camp  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the  occasion.  Johnny 
caught  a  mule,  and  riding  ahead  of  the  carriage  in 
which  Tom  sat  driving  the  family  team,  they  took 
their  way  to  camp,  making  an  appearance  that  would 
have  ranked  well  in  a  Barnum  parade.  The  mule  not 
being  acquainted  with  Johnny's  manner  of  riding, 
which,  to  say  the  least,  was  slightly  wabbly — threw 


him  against  the  side  of  the  road  and  ran  back  toward 
the  plantation.  Tom  removed  the  forks  that  were 
sticking  into  meat  that  was  not  designed  for  that  pur 
pose,  and  helped  Johnny  into  the  carriage,  gave  him 
the  plug  hat  and  again  started  for  camp.  They  bad  not 
gone  far  when  they  were  overtaken  by  a  company  of 
Union  Cavalry  which  escorted  the  outfit  to  General 
Benton's  headquarters.  The  General,  after  examining 
the  contents  of  the  carriage,  seemed  glad  to  see  them. 
He  asked  Tom  if  he  enjoyed  driving;  on  being  assured 
that  he  did,  he,  in  an  affable  manner,  told  Tom  to 
drive  stakes  around  his  tent  for  four  hours.  Johnny 
was  arrested  for  wearing  citizens'  clothing  and  the  car 
riage  and  contents  confiscated.  Tom,  while  driving  the 
stakes,  noticed  where  the  contents  of  the  carriage  was 
placed,  and  when  he  was  released,  headed  a  party  that 
before  morning  had  the  captured  supplies  in  B  Com 
pany  quarters.  Johnny  was  released  and  arrived  at 
company  quarters  in  time  to  enjoy  the  twice  captured 
supplies— the  brandy  peaches  included. 


232 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


SID.  O.  MORGAN. 

Sergeant  "B"  Company. 

Capt.  48th  U.  S.  C.  I. 


WALTER  T.  HALL. 
Sergeant  "B"  Company. 


EDWARD  P.  HATCH. 

1st  Sergeant  "B"  Company. 

Lieutenant  U.  S.  C.  I. 


CHARLES  H.  KEYS. 
Sergeant  "B"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


233 


BATTLE  AND  CHARGE  AT  BLACK  RIVER  BRIDGE,  MISS. 


The  morning  of  May  17th,  1863,  was  ushered  in  by  re 
veille  at  about  4  o'clock.  After  a  hasty  breakfast  of 
mush  cooked  in  small  cans,  each  individual  doing  his 
own  cooking,  the  33rd  Illinois  was  called  into  line, 
while  it  was  yet  dark.  B  Company  advanced  with  the 
skirmishers.  Many  rebel  soldiers  were  awakened  from 
their  slumbers  as  they  were  scattered  here  and  there 
through  the  timber,  they  having  been  so  fearfully  de 
moralized  the  day  before  at  the  battle  of  Champion's 
Hill  that  they  had  been  unable  to  regain  their  com 
mands.  They  were  made  prisoners  and  sent  to  the  rear 
without  causing  a  halt  in  the  rapidly  advancing  lines. 
The  writer  remembers  distinctly  of  taking  in  two  and 
escorting  them  to  Edwards'  Station,  turning  them  over 
to  those  having  charge  of  prisoners  and  overtaking  the 
line  within  a  half  mile  of  the  rebel  works.  B  Company 
was  still  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  as  such  had  ad 
vanced  (some  of  us)  to  within  two  hundred  yards  of 
the  rebel  rifle  pits,  protecting  ourselves  as  best  we  could 
behind  dead  trees,  stumps  and  farm  ditches.  We  were 
soon  ordered  to  fall  back  to  the  timber,  as  we  supposed, 
to  join  in  the  regiment  and  charge.  About  this  time  J. 
W.  Wright  of  B  Company  was  wounded.  Instead  of 
forming  with  the  regiment  we  were  ordered  to  lie  down 
and  await  orders,  securing  the  best  protection  at  hand 
— tree  trunks  and  logs. 

About  that  time  our  artillery  and  a  battery  of  Con 
federate  artillery  opened  on  each  other  through  the 
heavy  timber.  The  falling  trees  and  large  limbs  made 
it  extremely  unsafe  for  us  to  remain  longer  in  that  lo 
cality,  and  we  were  ordered  to  move  to  the  right. 
While  we  were  yet  among  the  fallen  timber,  and  the 
writer  and  Charley  Koshner  were  hugging  close  to  the 
roots  of  a  large  elm  tree,  a  rebel  solid  shot  passed 
through  the  tree  top,  cutting  off  a  large  limb.  Kosh 
ner  looked  up  and  coolly  remarked,  "Thunder  and 
blixen !  you  might  as  well  kill  a  fellow  as  to  scare  him 
to  death."  (Shortly  after  taking  up  our  new  position, 
Alonzo  B  Chatfield  of  B  Company  received  a  wound 
which  cost  him  his  right  hand. 


A  few  minutes  later  we  noticed  troops  forming  in  the 
open  field  to  our  right,  which  proved  to  be  the  second 
brigade  of  Carr's  division  preparing  to  charge.  By  and 
by  we  heard  the  well-known  yell,  and  upon  looking  in 
that  direction  discovered  that  a  charge  had  been  or 
dered.  If  Benton's  brigade  had  orders  to  charge,  the 
writer  did  not  hear  them  nor  never  knew  that  we  had 
orders,  but  we  charged  just  the  same,  every  fellow  for 
himself  and  as  many  "rebs"  as  possible.  When  we 
were  within  a  few  rods  of  the  rebel  rifle  pits  the  "rebs" 
broke  and  most  of  them  went  pell  mell  to  the  rear,  en 
deavoring  to  escape  by  crossing  the  river.  Those  that 
remained  in  the  pits  surrendered,  upon  our  gaining 
their  works.  But  few  succeeded  in  escaping. 

Those  were  moments  of  very  great  interest,  as  well  as 
excitement  to  us,  and  many  are  the  little  incidents  that 
could  be  related  in  regard  to  that  charge,  one  of  which 
I  distinctly  call  to  mind.  Shortly  after  gaining  the 
works  we  noticed  that  rapid  artillery  firing  was  taking 
place  down  the  line  from  a  position  that  we  knew  our 
artillery  did  not  occupy.  The  fact  however  soon  devel 
oped  that  it  was  our  own  boys  using  the  captured  guns 
on  "Johnnies"  with  such  effect  that  several  hundred  of 
them  were  corralled  before  reaching  the  bridge  over  the 
river.  Mixed  up  in  the  above  mentioned  affair  were 
Charles  Hebbard  and  Frank  Morey  of  B  Company. 
The  day  was  ours  and  the  enemy  fearfully  demoralized. 
R.  M.  AIKEN,  "B"  Company. 

[Fife  Major  B.  J.  Wakeman  states  that  he  was  stand 
ing  near  to  where  Generals  Grant  and  McClernand  were 
sitting  on  their  horses  watching  the  battle,  and  as  the 
skirmishers  charged  the  works  he  saw  Grant  point  to 
the  33rd  111.  and  ask,  "What  regiment  is  that?"  On  be 
ing  told,  Grant  remarked,  "That  is  the  first  time  I  ever 
saw  a  skirmish  line  charge  an  army  corps."  Several 
companies  of  the  regiment,  B  among  the  number,  went 
into  this  fight  armed  with  the  Dresden  rifle;  at  its  close 
they  were  armed  with  the  new  English  Enfield  rifles 
that  were  captured  from  the  "Johnnies".  It  was  a 
much  better  gun  than  the  one  discarded. —  V.  G.  Way.~\ 


GENERAL  PEMBERTON'S  SUPPER. 


When  near  Edwards'  Station,  Miss.,  in  the  swing 
around  Vicksburg  in  1863,  as  was  of  ten  the  case  in  forced 
marches,  the  command  had  got  ahead  of  their  supplies. 
Food  is  just  as  essential  as  gunpowder  in  a  properly 
equipped  army.  To  supply  the  food  deficiency  the  men 


that  could  be  spared  were  sent  into  the  country  to  ob 
tain  it.  Among  this  number  were  three  men  under  the 
charge  of  Sergeant  Bush  of  C  Company.  They  visited 
late  in  the  evening  a  fine  plantation  house.  It  seemed 
to  be  deserted.  Bush  left  his  men  out  of  sight  and 


30 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


went  up  to  the  kitchen  door.  On  opening  it  he  found 
a  negro  woman  who  happened  to  be  the  cook.  He  said, 
"Auntie  have  you  anything  cooked  in  the  house?  I 
am  awful  hungry."  From  her  actions  Bush  saw  that 
his  coming  was  a  surprise  to  her  and  that  evidently 
some  cooking  had  lately  been  done.  He  insisted  on 
having  something  to  eat,  when  she  said,  "I  have  done 
got  nuffin'  but  Massa  General  Pemberton's  suppah ;  he 
done  ordered  it  this  mawnin' ;  I  is  waitin'  for  him  to 
done  cum  and  get  it.  We  all  done  got  nuffin'  more. 
Massa  General  Pemberton's  men  done  took  we  all's  meat 
and  corn  meal ;  fore  the  good  Lord,  Massa,  I  is  tell 


ing  you  the  truth."  Bush  told  her  he  had  come  for 
General  Pemberton's  supper;  that  he  was  in  a  hurry 
and  could  not  come  after  it ;  that  she  must  place  it  in 
a  basket  so  that  he  could  carry  it  to  him.  The  "Aunt 
ie"  was  suspicious  that  things  were  not  all  right,  but 
Bush  insisted  upon  an  immediate  compliance  with  his 
orders. 

The  supper  was  soon  in  the  basket.  Bush  rejoined 
his  men,  who  in  the  meantime  had  found  some  ham 
and  corn  meal.  C  Company  officers  ate  the  supper 
General  Pemberton  had  ordered  and  expressed  thanks 
for  his  thoughtfulness  of  their  welfare. 


INCIDENTS  AT  VICKSBURG,  MISS.,  MAY  2Jst  AND  22nd,  J863. 


May  21st,  1863,  John  Kuykendall,  a  Sergeant  of  D 
Company,  33rd  Illinois  Infantry,  took  charge  of  about 
sixty  men  for  sharpshooting  in  the  rifle  pits.  The  first 
thing  that  happened,  George  Wackerlee  of  D  Company 
was  wounded  while  forming  the  squad  in  line.  Wacker 
lee  asked  permission  to  light  his  pipe  with  a  coal  of  fire, 
there  being  a  small  bunch  of  live  coals  in  the  rear  of 
the  line  just  formed.  While  in  a  stooped  position  to 
light  his  pipe,  a  premature  shell  exploded  over  our 
heads  from  our  own  battery,  a  piece  of  the  shell  strik 
ing  Wackerlee  on  the  hip,  peeling  the  flesh  off  his  hip 
and  leg  to  his  heel.  Two  other  men  who  were  standing 
in  the  rear  rank  had  the  calves  of  both  legs  cut  off  by 
the  same  explosion.  As  soon  as  these  three  wounded 
men  could  be  taken  care  of  and  sent  to  the  rear,  Kuy 
kendall  started  with  his  squad  for  the  rifle  pit  to  the 
east. 

The  men  were  deployed  at  a  short  distance  from  each 
other,  covering  a  line  of  rifle  pits  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  in  length,  the  taller  men  being  at  the  head  of  the 
column.  Simpson  Driscoll,  of  D  Company,  who  was  at 
that  time  Regimental  Wagon  Master,  volunteered  his 
services  for  that  day  to  do  duty  as  a  sharpshooter. 
Driscoll  and  Aaron  O.  Holland,  being  tall  men,  were  at 
the  head  of  the  squad,  and  when  placed  in  position 
were  at  the  extreme  right.  All  of  the  men  had  specific 
orders  from  Sergeant  Kuykendall  to  keep  well  down  out 
of  danger  in  the  ditches  we  were  occupying.  Sergeant 
Kuykendall  was  kept  busy  passing  up  and  down  the 
line  looking  after  his  men,  as  some  one  was  wounded 
every  few  minutes.  Driscoll  and  Holland  being  on  the 
right,  both  took  the  liberty  of  standing  erect  when  fir 
ing  their  guns.  The  men  had  strict  orders  when  firing 
not  to  rise  higher  than  to  take  aim,  and  on  firing  to  fall 
back  into  the  rifle  pit  and  re-load  their  guns  while  ly 
ing  on  their  backs.  Driscoll  and  Holland  both  diso 
beyed  orders,  and  while  Kuykendall  was  down  the  line 
a  distance  from  them  they  both  would  rise  and  stand 
erect  while  firing  their  guns.  Sergt.  Kuykendall  went 
to  both  these  men  and  commanded  them  to  obey  orders, 
and  both  promised  to  do  so,  Driscoll  making  the  remark 


that  the  rebel  bullet  had  never  been  made  to  kill  him. 
Kuykendall  remonstrated  with  him  and  told  him  if  he 
did  not  obey  his  orders  he  would  be  placed  under  arrest 
and  sent  back  to  the  company,  at  the  same  time  telling 
him  that  rebel  bullets  were  not  respecters  of  persons, 
and  that  he  certainly  would  be  killed  if  he  did  not  re 
main  under  cover.  Holland  promised  he  \vould  keep 
down.  Both  being  brave  and  daring  men,  they  knew 
no  fear. 

Sergeant  Kuykendall  then  had  occasion  to  go  down 
the  line  from  these  two  men.  On  his  return  he  saw 
Driscoll  stand  up  deliberately,  expose  himself  to  the 
enemy's  fire  and  fire  his  gun,  when  almost  simul 
taneously  he  fell  back  shot  through  the  body  near  the 
heart ;  and  before  Kuykendall  could  reach  Driscoll, 
Holland  stood  up,  fired  his  gun  and  fell  back  a  corpse. 
Both  of  them  were  dead  by  the  time  Kuykendall  reached 
them.  They  lost  their  lives  by  disobeying  orders. 
Sergeant  C.  C.  Breckenridge,  of  D  Company,  was  in 
this  detail.  He  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Driscoll,  they 
being  neighbors  when  they  enlisted.  He  secured  some 
rough  boards  and  made  two  boxes.  Kuykendall  and 
Breckenridge  went  that  night  and  buried  them  near  the 
spot  where  they  were  killed. 

Soon  after  this  happened  a  battery  of  artillery  took  up 
a  position  on  an  elevation  in  the  rear  about  600  yards 
from  where  we  were  located  in  the  rifle  pits,  and  were 
firing  their  shells  at  the  fort,  directly  over  the  heads  of 
this  detail  of  men.  They  cut  the  shell  fuses  too  short  and 
the  shells  exploded  among  our  men  in  the  pits.  This 
increased  our  danger  ten-fold,  as  we  were  under  a  hot 
fire  from  the  rebel  sharpshooters  deployed  in  the  fort, 
and  not  over  two  hundred  yards  distant.  Sergeant 
Kuykendall  saw  the  great  danger  we  were  in,  and  had 
no  way  of  signalling  the  commander  of  this  battery. 
Ho  took  off  his  cartridge  box,  laid  down  his  gun  and 
started  on  the  double-quick  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
enemy  toward  where  this  battery  was  located,  to  inform 
the  commander  of  this  battery  that  he  was  firing  into 
our  men.  He  reached  the  battery  in  safety  and  request 
ed  the  commander  to  change  his  position,  which  he  did, 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


235 


JAMES  B.  McCAMPBELL. 

Sergeant  "B"  Company. 


CHARLES  E.  SHINN. 
Sergeant  "B"  Company. 


WALLACE  D.  JOHNSON. 
Sergeant  "B"  Company. 


EDWIN  D.  CHASE. 
Sergeant  "B"  Company. 


236 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


and  took  up  another  position  to  the  right.  Kuykendall 
then  returned  to  his  command,  coming  back  the  same 
way  under  the  same  heavy  fire  from  the  rebel  sharp 
shooters. 

The  next  day  D  Company  was  engaged  in  that  mem 
orable  charge  on  the  left  under  John  A.  McClernand, 
commanding  the  13th  Army  Corps.  In  this  charge  D 


Company  suffered  severely.  Among  the  wounded  were 
Sergeant  Kuykendall,  Corporal  James  Seantlen,  and 
John  W.  Ross.  For  bravery  on  May  21st,  Scantlen  was 
promoted  Corporal.  The  wounds  of  Scantlen  and  Ross 
were  fatal.  They  had  remained  on  the  battlefield  three 
days,  their  wounds  unattended  to.  Kuykendall  received 
a  gunshot  wound  in  his  left  arm. 


A  GRAND  GULF  INCIDENT. 


When  General  Grant  commenced  his  movement 
against  Vicksburg,  the  country  to  the  west  and  along 
the  river  was  comparatively  under  water.  Grant,  to 
divert  attention  and  employ  the  minds  of  the  soldiers, 
thus  to  take  their  thoughts  from  the  unsuccessful  cam 
paigns  in  which  they  lately  had  engaged,  caused  them 
to  dig  a  canal,  which  was  to  cut  across  the  big  bend  in 
the  Mississippi  river  opposite  to  Vicksburg.  Just  what 
General  Grant  expected  to  accomplish  with  the  canal, 
none  but  himself  knew,  but  the  seeming  possibility  of 
leaving  Vicksburg  in  the  rear,  a  river  fortification 
without  a  river,  appealed  to  the  amusing  as  well  as  the 
practical  side  of  the  soldiers,  and  nerved  them  to  work 
under  great  difficulties  and  hardships  to  accomplish 
that  end.  Before  the  work  was  fully  completed  the 
men  were  marched  across  the  neck  of  land  to  a  point 
below  the  city.  The  gunboats  and  transports  ran  by 
the  batteries  and  joined  the  army.  After  an  unsuccess 
ful  bombardment  of  the  rebel  batteries  at  Grand  Gulf, 
the  army  resumed  its  march  to  a  point  below  Grand 
Gulf,  where  it  was  joined  by  the  gunboats  and  trans 
ports.  While  above  Grand  Gulf  the  incident  occurred 
that  I  will  now  relate. 

It  became  necessary  to  have  reliable  information  as  to 
roads,  streams  and  their  condition  on  the  Mississippi 
side  of  the  river.  This  information  could  not  be  ob 
tained  from  the  maps.  By  the  order  of  General  Oster- 
haus,  at  the  request  of  General  Grant,  a  detail  of  eight 
men  under  the  command  of  Capt.  R.  H.  Ballinger,  3rd 
Illinois  Cav.,  was  made  for  this  purpose.  A  boat  was 
secured  from  the  gunboat  Benton,  which  had  been  in 
the  attack  on  the  batteries  and  had  been  severely 
handled.  The  Benton  was  tied  up  to  the  bank  and  was 
being  viewed  by  many  of  the  soldiers  encamped  near 
by.  The  officer  in  command  of  the  detail  called  for 
volunteers  to  act  as  oarsmen  to  row  a  boat  across  the 
river.  The  number  required  was  soon  secured.  Among 
them  were  John  S.  Moore  and  Wesley  Leavitt,  of  C 
Co.,  33rd  Illinois  Infty.  It  was  nearly  dark  when  they 
went  on  board  the  Benton  and  dropped  through  a  port 
hole  to  the  boat  in  waiting.  They  started  soon,  and 
after  some  difficulty  landed  above  Grand  Gulf.  The 
rebels  were  patrolling  the  shore,  but  a  party  was  suc 
cessfully  landed  without  being  discovered.  After  some 
search  and  inquiry  among  the  negroes,  a  man  was  se 


cured  who  claimed  to  know  the  country  thoroughly. 
When  he  found  out  that  the  party  was  to  take  him 
across  the  river,  trouble  came.  He  did  not  want  to  be 
separated  from  his  family,  or  they  from  him.  After 
some  delay  he  was  landed  in  the  boat.  The  noise  made 
by  the  man's  family  aroused  the  enemy,  and  the  boat 
had  hardly  left  the  shore  on  the  return  when  they  were 
fired  upon.  This  fire,  as  the  current  swept  the  heavily 
loaded  boat  down  in  front  of  Grand  Gulf,  came  in  vol 
leys.  The  balls  hit  the  water  all  around  them,  and 
their  chance  of  reaching  the  other  shore  seemed  a  slim 
one  indeed.  The  darkness  of  the  night  was  the  only 
thing  that  saved  them  from  disaster.  As  they  neared 
the  west  shore  they  were  fired  upon  by  a  detachment  of 
the  99th  Illinois,  who  had  been  aroused  by  the  firing 
from  the  other  side.  The  officer  in  charge  was  com 
pelled  to  hail  the  firing  party  and  come  to  the  shore  to 
explain  themselves.  The  explanation  was  in  forceful 
language,  but  seemed  to  be  satisfactory,  as  they  were 
permitted  to  proceed  up  the  river  to  Grant's  headquar 
ters,  where  they  landed.  The  volunteer  oarsmen  were 
dismissed  with  thanks  for  their  services.  Their  names 
or  commands  were  not  asked  for.  They  had  escaped  as 
by  a  miracle  the  bullets  of  both  foe  arid  friend,  as  well 
as  the  swirling  currents  of  the  flooded  river.  No  his 
torical  mention  was  made  of  this  daring  deed.  They 
had  rendered  an  important  service  to  their  country — 
they  were  satisfied.  When  Moore  and  Leavitt  reached 
camp  it  was  morning.  They  were  brought  before  the 
company  commander,  their  story  discredited  as  being 
too  big  to  believe.  Nothing  but  the  previous  good 
standing  of  the  men  saved  them  from  punishment. 

The  following  is  from  Capt.  Ballinger's  account  of 
their  affair  after  they  reached  Grant's  headquarters: 

"Grant  was  awaiting  us  with  the  county  maps  of 
Mississippi  spread  out  on  his  table.  After  the  formal 
salute  and  recognition,  the  conversation  of  the  General 
and  negro  was  substantially  as  follows : 

"  'How  long  have  you  lived  in  Mississippi?' 

"  'All  my  life,  sah  ;  I  was  born  about  12  miles  from 
my  master's  plantation,  sah.' 

"  'Where  is  your  master?' 

"  'I  dunno,  boss;  he  was  home  when  the  boat  fight 
Avas  gwine  on.  He  was  spyin  at  hit  with  his  telam- 
scop.  He  Jef  in  a  spri/iii'  big  hurry  afore  dinner,  sah.' 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


"  'Are  you  acquainted  with  all  the  roads  on  your  side 
of  the  river?' 

"  'Yes,  sah.' 

"  'Look  here;  tell  me  where  this  one  leads  to— start 
ing  where  you  see  my  finger  here  on  the  map,  and  run 
ning  down  that  way.' 

"  'Dat  road  fetches  up  at  Bayou  Pierre,  but  you  can't 
go  that  way  now,  kase  it's  plum  full  of  back  water,  sah.' 

"  'Which  road  would  you  take  if  you  were  going  to 
lead  me,  followed  by  a  great  army  and  trains  of  loaded 
wagons  and  artillery— which  road  would  you  take  to 
reach  Bayou  Pierre?' 

"  'Dar  is  only  one  way,  Gineral,  and  dat  is  by 
Bruinsburg,  eight  miles  furder  down',  answered  the 
contraband,  proud  to  advise  the  General.  'Dar  you  can 


leve  de  boats  and  the  men  can  walk  on  high  ground  all 
de  way.  De  best  houses  an'  plantations  in  all  dis  coun 
try  are  dar,  sah,  all  along  dat  road.' 

"Those  who  would  ascribe  to  chance  and  impulse  the 
achievements  of  Grant  should  have  seen  him  drawing 
the  minutest  particulars  of  the  route  ahead  of  his  ad 
vance  from  this  faithful  negro.  While  the  army  lay 
about  him  sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  weary,  perhaps 
dreaming  of  their  firesides  and  the  asylums  of  peace, 
Grant  was  perfecting  those  weighty  designs  which 
were  to  make  their  dreams  of  home  and  a  re-united 
country  a  reality. " 

The  Bruinsburg  route  was  chosen  and  the  faithful 
negro  remained  with  the  advance  as  a  guide  until 
Grand  Gulf  was  taken. 


SHARPSHOOTING  AT  VICKSBURG. 


When  he  and  I  that  bright  Sunday  morning,  after 
watchfully  crawling  to  the  outpost,  relieved  those  who 
were  sharpshooting  at  that  place,  they  gave  us  the  in 
structions  and  advised  us  to  be  careful  of  a  fellow  who 
was  stationed  in  a  tree  top  in  fair  view  from  where  we 
were,  but  the  distance  was  farther  than  our  rifles  would 
carry  with  accuracy.  The  "Johnny"  had  hit  several 
of  the  men  and  thus  far  nothing  seemed  to  bother  him. 
Having  placed  ourselves  in  seemingly  good  positions, 
we  determined  to  stir  him  up.  He  fired  at  the  center 
of  the  tree.  I  watched  for  results.  It  came  in  the 
shape  of  a  bullet  striking  a  log  uncomfortably  near  to 
my  head,  throwing  dirt  into  my  eyes  and  jarring  my 
nerves  somewhat.  When  I  could  see  the  sights  of  my 
rifle  I  sent  my  card  to  him.  He  must  have  been  look 
ing  for  it.  Not  to  be  outdone  in  courtesy,  he  sent  me 
his  in  return.  He  tried  to  place  it  in  my  hat,  and  in 
so  doing  knocked  the  hat  off  my  head  and  made  one 
more  rent  in  it  to  enable  the  sun  and  rain  to  visit  me 
more  readily.  This  did  not  suit  me,  as  it  was  the  "on- 
liest"  hat  I  had,  and  there  was  no  prospect  of  getting 
another,  providing  1  should  need  it.  From  the  way  he 


was  getting  in  his  work,  we  judged  him  an  expert,  and 
that  his  rifle  was  better  than  our  own.  We  decided  to  use 
pur  wits ;  if  we  did  not,  it  was  evident  that  one  or  both 
of  us  would  be  added  to  his  list  of  victims— that  is,  if 
we  kept  up  the  fight.  We  were  not  known  as  quitters. 
I  was  to  stop  firing,  secure  as  good  position  as  possible, 
and  await  the  chance.  This  was  to  cause  him  to  think 
I  had  been  hit.  He  was  to  move  a  little  way  from  where 
we  were  and  fire  a  few  shots  from  there  to  attract  the 
"Johnny's"  attention  ;  then  to  expose  his  hat  on  a  stick 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  cause  him  to  think  that  he  was 
carefully  looking  to  locate  him.  I  was  to  watch  the  re 
sults  of  the  shots  fired,  get  the  range  with  my  rifle  load 
ed  with  a  re-enforced  cartridge,  and  fire  at  the  smoke 
as  it  left  the  "Johnny's"  rifle.  He  exposed  the  hat; 
the  shot  came ;  T  was  ready  and  instantly  sent  the  lead 
en  messenger.  The  "Johnny"  caught  that  message  and 
fell  from  the  tree.  He  said,  "You  got  him."  I  said, 
"I  think  so."  We  gave  our  attention  to  other  places 
along  the  line  in  our  front.  Our  comrades  were  avenged. 
No  more  hits  were  scored  by  the  enemy  at  that  sta 
tion. 


THE  ONION  BRIGADE. 


Near  Pocahontas,  Ark.,  in  the  early  summer  of  1862, 
as  the  regiment  was  marching  past  a  fine  mansion, 
whose  owner  evidently  was  in  the  rebel  army,  or  would 
be  if  opportunity  afforded,  as  Union  men  in  that  part 
of  the  country  were  hard  to  find,  some  one  in  the  com 
mand  discovered  a  vegetable  garden  in  the  rear  of  the 
house.  As  was  the  custom  at  that  time,  guards  had 
been  posted  along  the  road  to  keep  the  soldiers  from 
entering  upon  the  grounds.  As  a  rule  such  guards  were 


but  a  notice  to  the  men  that  there  was  something  there 
that  they  could  not  have  if  they  could  not  get  it.  Gen 
erally  they  got  it  if  they  wanted  it,  and  often  it  was 
taken  just  to  be  ready  for  an  emergency,  as  it  was  a 
necessary  part  of  their  training  as  soldiers.  No  one 
that  has  not  been  placed  under  similar  circumstances 
can  understand  how  "onions  and  potatoes"  were  rel 
ished  by  the  soldiers.  Having  nothing  but  dried  vege 
tables,  and  that  of  a  poor  quality  and  in  a  scant  supply, 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


LUCIUS  ROGERS. 
Corporal  "B"  Company. 


CHARLES  H.  HEBBARD. 
Corporal  "B"  Company. 


GEORGE  B.  HEARTT,  1863. 
Corporal  "B"  Company. 


GEORGE  B.  HEARTT,  1902. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


239 


their  salt  meat  ration  produced  a  desire  for  fresh  onions 
and  potatoes  that  was  almost  uncontrollable.  Soon  by 
ones  and  twos  the  men  left  the  ranks,  and  that  garden 
was  well  plowed  up  by  the  bayonets  of  the  boys  in  their 
efforts  to  obtain  the  succulent  vegetables.  Lieut.  Col. 
Lippincott,  in  command  of  the  regiment,  accidentally 
discovered  what  the  men  were  doing,  and  in  a  rage  is 
sued  an  order  that  all  the  men  in  the  garden,  also  all 
those  that  had  any  onions  in  their  possession,  should  be 
arrested.  He  kept  them  under  arrest  all  night,  and 
confiscated  the  onions  if  he  could  find  them.  The  next 
day  the  arrested  men  were  marched  in  a  separate  body ; 
each  man  had  a  paper  pinned  to  his  back  on  which  was 
printed  in  large  letters  the  word  "Onion".  This  com 


mand  was  known  as  "The  Onion  Brigade".  They  be 
came  quite  popular,  and  were  often  cheered  by  the 
men.  Many  of  them  wore  the  "onion"  badges  until 
they  were  destroyed  by  the  elements.  As  the  command 
marched  along  the  road  some  one  would  cry  out,  "Who 
got  the  onions?"  The  answer  would  come  from  down 
the  line,  "The  Brigade;"  or  some  one  less  reverent 
would  reply,  "The  Colonel,"  and  several  would  join  in 
the  chorus,  "Ah,  smell  him  breff !"  Several  of  the 
men  wore  these  badges  until  ordered  to  remove  them  by 
Col.  Lippincott's  verbally  expressed  command.  The 
Colonel  gained  no  popularity  in  the  regiment  by  organ 
izing  the  "Onion  Brigade",  and  later  expressed  regret 
that  he  allowed  himself  to  do  such  a  foolish  thing. 


DREAMS,  ETHEREAL  AND  MATERIAL. 


While  at  Bailey's  Station,  Mo.,  CofFey  proposed  to 
show  the  boys  how  to  cook  a  chicken,  that  had  wan 
dered  into  camp,  roosted  in  his  tent  and  forgot  to  wake 
up  at  reveille.  CofFey  dug  a  hole  in  the  ground,  lined 
it  with  stone,  fitted  a  flat  piece  of  stone  to  the  top  of  it, 
built  a  fire,  heated  some  stones  as  hot  as  possible,  dress 
ed  the  chicken,  seasoned  it  well,  wrapped  it  in  leaves, 
placed  the  hot  stones  in  the  extemporized  oven,  with 
the  chicken  on  top  of  them,  covered  it  with  the  flat 
stone,  banked  it  up  well  with  dirt,  and  awaited  results. 
CofFey 's  experiment  was  watched  by  the  boys.  He 
patiently  endured  their  chaffing,  telling  them  they  would 
"talk  the  other  way"  in  the  morning  when  he  was  eating 
the  well  roasted  chicken.  The  oven  seemed  to  be  work 
ing  all  right,  and  CofFey  went  to  bed  to  sleep  the  sleep 
of  the  weary  and  dream  of  the  chicken  that  awaited  his 
coming  in  the  morning.  He  was  not  the  only  man 
that  dreamed  of  chicken  that  night.  WThen  ready  for 
breakfast  CofFey  carefully  removed  the  dirt  and  stone 
covering ;  the  scent  of  chicken  was  strong  in  the  oven  ; 
that  and  the  chicken  bones  were  there  to  satisfy  his 
hunger.  The  meat  had  been  taken  from  the  bones  and 
they  were  arranged  on  the  stones  in  as  natural  manner 
as  possible.  Nothing  about  the  oven  seemed  to  have 
been  disturbed;  it  looked  just  as  it  did  when  he  left  it 
in  the  evening.  His  dreams  had  been  pleasant  and  had 


sharpened  his  appetite  for  chicken.  He  had  the  ether 
eal,  but  the  material  had  vanished.  He  could  accuse  no 
one  of  taking  the  chicken,  because  there  were  no  marks 
of  any  disturbance  of  the  oven  ;  no  one  in  the  company 
had  chicken  for  breakfast,  or  could  he  learn  of  any  one 
being  up  in  the  night.  Here  was  a  mystery  too  much 
for  CofFey  to  understand.  The  boys  convinced  him  that 
it  was  the  fault  of  the  oven,  and  the  incident  was  closed. 
Some  time  after  the  boys  were  talking  about  dreams, 
when  Fezler  related  a  dream  he  had  had.  He  said  that 
he  dreamed  he  was  at  home ;  that  his  mother  had  roast 
ed  a  chicken  in  his  honor;  that  it  was  the  best  roasted 
chicken  he  had  ever  eaten  ;  in  fact  it  was  so  good  that 
the  dreaming  of  it  so  satisfied  his  appetite  that  he  want 
ed  nothing  to  eat  in  the  morning  ;  that  he  had  repeatedly 
tried  to  have  similar  dreams— had  had  them  but  they 
did  not  satisfy  his  hunger.  Upon  questioning  him 
closely  it  was  found  that  Fezler's  material  dream  hap 
pened  the  night  CofFey  roasted  the  chicken  in  the  oven. 
At  this  time  he  would  not  admit  of  knowing  anything 
about  CofFey's  chicken,  but  said  if  he  had  done  any 
thing  wrong  he  was  perfectly  willing  to  be  forgiven. 
However,  some  months  afterward  it  was  ascertained 
that  Fezler  got  up  that  night,  took  the  chicken  out  of 
the  oven,  ate  it,  arranged  the  bones  and  oven  as  found 
by  CofFey,  and  returned  to  his  bed  unobserved. 


LEISTICO  OF  "B"  COMPANY  AS  A  FORAGER. 


While  on  the  winter  campaign  in  Missouri,  Albert 
Leistico  got  a  pass  to  go  outside  the  lines  foraging.  Af 
ter  passing  the  pickets  he  left  the  main  traveled  road 
and  soon  came  to  a  plantation  house  that  had  been  de 
serted  by  its  inhabitants.  They  had  failed  however  to 
take  with  them  the  poultry  and  good  things  eatable  to 
be  found  in  pantry  and  cellar.  Leistico  caught  a  goose 


and  a  chicken  and  secured  them ;  then  turned  his  at 
tention  to  the  house,  having  satisfied  the  hunger  that 
was  always  with  him.  He  did  likewise  with  his  ever 
present  thirst  from  a  keg  of  apple-jack  that  he  found  in 
the  cellar.  There  was  nothing  stingy  about  Leistico. 
Tf  he  had  a  good  thing  he  was  always  ready  to  share  it. 
This  apple-jack  was  good,  and  he  determined  to  take  a 


240 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


pail  of  it  to  camp  for  the  boys.  Then  also  that  thirst 
of  his,  like  an  ever  consuming  but  never  ending  fire, 
might  return  before  he  reached  camp ;  the  apple-jack 
would  be  available  to  extinguish  it.  With  the  goose, 
chicken  and  apple-jack,  inside  and  out,  he  started  for 
camp.  He  was  well  loaded  ;  the  whole  road  was  none 
too  wide  for  him.  The  General  in  command  was  of  no 
more  importance  in  his  way  of  thinking  than  Leistico, 
the  cook  for  mess  number  three. 

When  he  arrived  at  the  picket  post  the  guards,  failing 
to  recognize  his  importance,  or  thinking  that  his  for 
age  would  be  useful  to  themselves,  halted  him  and 
placed  him  under  arrest  for  having  such  things  in  his 
possession.  This  insult  to  his  dignity  made  him  quite 
angry.  He  produced  his  pass  and  said:  "Vot  for  me 
you  stop  sometimes  already?  See  dot  now?  By  shimeny, 
some  dings  I  show  you  pretty  quick!"  The  Sergeant 
after  reading  his  pass  said:  "This  does  not  say  any 
thing  about  passing  a  goose,  a  chicken  or  a  pail  of  ap 
ple-jack.  Our  orders  are  to  arrest  every  soldier  attempt 
ing  to  pass  the  lines  with  such  stuff  as  you  have  got. 
We  will  have  to  take  you  to  headquarters."  "Ish  dot 
so?  Val,  val,  I  know  not  dot.  Mein  Got  in  Himmel ! 
vot  vil  I  do?  If  I  go  mit  the  guard  house  out  the  mess 


vil  no  supper  haben.  Mein  Got!  Mein  Got!"  Leisti 
co  at  this  time  had  set  his  things  down  and  was  walk 
ing  back  and  forth  across  the  road  swinging  his  hands 
and  bemoaning  his  condition.  He  stopped  in  front  of 
the  Sergeant  and  said :  "Yust  let  me  go  und  I  the  pass 
for  the  shicken  und  the  goose  und  the  apple-jack  quick 
bring  from  the  Gaptain.  I  know  not  the  pass  vas  no 
gude.  Mein  Got!  Mein  Got !" 

After  a  little  while  the  Sergeant  said  to  him  :  "You 
seem  to  be  an  innocent  man ;  now  you  leave  these 
things  here  and  say  nothing  about  this  to  any  one, 
and  we  will  let  you  go  this  time."  At  this  Leis 
tico  glanced  at  the  cause  of  his  troubles  and  slowly 
said,  "Val,  val,  you  bese  a  gude  man;  I  vil  do  dot." 
He  could  part  with  the  chicken  and  the  goose,  but  with 
the  other  it  was  different.  He  looked  at  the  apple-jack 
and  saw  the  vanishing  visions  of  a  pleasant  time  con 
tained  in  its  ruby  depths  about  to  depart  forever,  and 
he  said,  "Yust  give  me  a  drink  mit  the  pail  out,  und  I 
runs  myseluf  to  the  camp  over."  The  request  was 
granted  and  he  succeeded  in  carrying  away  so  much  of 
the  contents  of  the  pail  that  he  could  not  get  that  sup 
per  for  the  mess  that  seemed  to  bear  so  heavy  on  his 
mind  when  at  the  picket  post. 


ONE  DAY  AT  VICKSBURG. 


G  Company,  under  Captain  Moore,  were  detailed  as 
sharpshooters.  To  get  to  the  required  position  they  pass 
ed  through  one  valley  until  it  intersected  another  that 
would  lead  them  in  the  required  direction.  This  was 
continued  until  they  had  arrived  at  the  desired  place, 
which  was  about  eight  hundred  yards  from  the  enemy's 
lines.  He  being  totally  unaware  of  the  presence  of  the 
sharpshooters,  the  men  were  placed  in  commanding 
positions  as  near  the  brow  of  the  ridge  as  possible  with 
safety,  two  or  three  men  in  one  place.  Jerry  Wuidon 
and  William  Burrell  reached  the  place  assigned  them. 
It  was  on  the  side  of  a  very  steep  ridge.  Close  to  the 
top,  by  using  their  bayonets,  they  excavated  a  standing 
place  just  deep  enough  for  them  to  rest  their  rifles  on 
the  ridge  when  shooting.  By  keeping  well  down  when 
loading,  they  were  in  comparative  safety.  After  ex 
changing  a  few  shots  with  the  rebels,  who  were  on  a 
ridge  just  across  a  valley  from  their  position,  part  of 
them— to  get  a  better  view  —had  hidden  themselves  in  the 
thick,  bushy  tops  of  trees  near  by.  It  became  evident  to 
Jerry  and  Bill  that  they  must  further  protect  themselves 
by  digging  a  trench  for  their  rifles  to  rest  in  while  tiring. 
This  they  did  by  pushing  the  ground  out  in  front  of 
them  with  the  butts  of  their  guns.  They  could  now 
fire  on  the  concealed  enemy  with  little  exposure  of  their 
bodies,  as  only  one  fired  at  a  time  and  he  immediately 
stooped  down  after  the  shot  was  sent.  The  one  await 
ing  quickly  fired  at  anything  visible  from  the  "John 
ny"  rifle  pits. 


That  the  rebels  were  good  marksmen  was  evidenced 
by  the  knocking  away  of  the  dirt  close  to  the  boys' 
heads  by  the  bullets  as  they  sang  past  them  in  their 
journey  towards  the  lines  in  the  rear.  The  unpleasant 
singing  of  these  unfeathered  birds  as  they  sang  the 
death  song  to  the  unfortunate  Union  soldier  that  might 
be  within  their  power  of  flight,  only  nerved  the  boys  to 
notice  that  the  two  sights  on  their  rifles  were  in  direct 
line  with  some  carelessly  exposed  head,  or  the  center  of  a 
bunch  of  smoke  in  the  tree  tops  before  mentioned.  Of 
ten  it  was  necessary  to  remove  the  dirt  from  their  eyes, 
lately  thrown  there  by  a  "reb"  bullet,  before  the  return 
shot  could  be  given. 

Thus  the  day  wore  on,  giving  and  taking,  but  being 
sure  they  gave  more  than  they  took.  The  smoke  from 
the  trees  ceased  to  show  itself.  Whether  the  "Johnny" 
had  more  than  dirt  to  wipe  out  of  his  eyes  they  did  not 
know,  and  it  was  not  healthy  to  expose  themselves 
enough  to  find  out.  Jerry  and  Bill  were  good  marks 
men.  Their  shots  should  have  been  hits.  In  their 
watchfulness  they  had  not  noticed  the  flight  of  time. 
The  sun  had  passed  its  meridian  and  was  well  over  to 
wards  the  western  horizon.  The  company  had  been 
withdrawn,  and  on  assembling  the  boys  were  missed, 
and  Captain  Moore  returned  to  see  what  had  become  of 
them.  His  voice,  as  he  stood  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  or 
dering  them  to  come  down,  awakened  them  to  the 
knowledge  that  they  were  all  alone  and  were  wanted  in 
the  line  as  quick  as  possible.  To  do  this  it  was  neces- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


241 


CHARLES  E.  WADLEIGH. 
Corporal  "B"  Company. 


EDWARD  H.  INGRAHAM. 
Corporal  "B"  Company. 


ALONZO  B.  CHATFIELD,  1902. 
"B"  Company. 


R.  MICH.  AIKEN,  1900. 
"B"  Company. 


31 


242 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


sary  for  them  to  go  diagonally  up  the  side  of  the  hill  in 
full  view  of  the  enemy.  About  half  way  to  the  crest  of 
the  ridge  was  a  large  oak  tree ;  near  the  top  was  a  rail 
fence.  Capt.  Moore  ordered  Burrell  to  run  to  the  tree ; 
Jerry  was  to  follow  as  soon  as  Bill  reached  the  tree.  When 
Jerry  got  there  Bill  was  to  run  for  the  fence,  climb  over 
and  drop  behind  the  ridge.  After  Bill  had  made  the 
safety  drop,  Jerry  was  to  follow,  and  the  Captain  to 
run  for  the  tree.  By  this  plan  they  would  have  a  chance 
to  catch  their  wind  they  expected  to  lose  as  they  sprint 
ed  against  time  with  the  rebel  bullets  beating  a  lively 
tattoo  around  them.  Burrell  reached  the  tree  ;  Jerry  start 
ed  for  the  first  base  ;  Burrell  ran  for  second,  and  instead  of 
climbing  over  the  fence  he  attempted  to  crawl  between 
the  rails.  The  leaden  hail  he  had  lately  passed  through 
admonished  him  that  the  closer  he  kept  to  Mother 
Earth  the  greater  his  chances  for  reaching  the  home 
base.  As  Burrell  went  through  the  fence,  his  bayonet 
in  the  scabbard  hanging  from  his  tightly  buckled  belt 
got  crosswise  and  held  him  fast,  his  body  partially 
resting  on  the  ground,  but  in  a  position  that  he  could 
not  extricate  himself.  Jerry  started  for  the  second 
base.  When  he  came  to  the  fence  he  had  no  time  to 
release  Burrell,  crawl  through  or  climb  over;  he  just 
tumbled  and  landed  close  to  a  log  which  he  quickly 
placed  between  himself  and  the  rebels.  Burrell's  efforts 


to  free  himself,  accompanied  by  his  appeals  to  Jerry  for 
aid,  nearly  convulsed  him  with  laughter.  The  rebels 
soon  got  Burrell 's  range,  and  as  their  bullets  chipped 
the  nearby  rails,  his  efforts  at  extraction  did  not  less 
en  in  the  least.  Jerry's  laughing  was  not  a  bit  more 
soothing  than  the  ping  of  the  bullets.  The  Captain 
made  the  run  to  the  tree,  saw  the  hung-up  Burrell,  but 
did  not  stop  to  loosen  him  as  he  rushed  past,  clearing 
the  fence  like  a  deer  pursued  by  hounds,  and  scored  a 
home  run.  Burrell  succeeded,  with  the  help  of  the  reb 
els,  in  tearing  down  a  section  of  the  fence  and  crawled 
to  Jerry's  friendly  log  for  protection.  By  this  time  he 
had  used  up  all  of  his  swear  expressions  and  could  only 
say:  "You  blamed  fool  you;  just  like  you  to  laugh  at 
a  fellow  if  the  rebs  had  made  a  meal  sieve  of  my  hide. 
Say,  it  was  lucky  they  shot  that  rail  loose  that  my  bay 
onet  was  caught  on.  Dang  it!  Jerry,  but  those  balls 
sang  mighty  close  to  my  ears ;  thought  they  were  try 
ing  to  mark  me  as  dad  did  his  hogs— a  slit  and  a  hole 
in  the  right  ear.  Say,  you  blamed  idiot,  if  you  do  not 
stop  your  noise  I  will  throw  you  over  the  log  and  let 
them  shoot  the  laugh  out  of  you."  When  the  shooting 
had  ceased  Jerry  and  Bill  crept  over  the  ridge  and  re 
joined  the  company.  The  Captain's  home  run  and 
Bill's  hang-up  afforded  Jerry  much  amusement.  Even 
now  he  can  laugh  as  he  tells  the  story. 


AN  EPITAPH 

Placed  by  some  of  the  boys  on  a  supposed  grave  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  after  the  return  from  Jackson. 

"Gentle  stranger,  drop  a  tear, 
The  C.  S.  A.  lies  buried  here; 
In  youth  it  lived  and  flourished  well, 
But  like  Lucifer  it  fell ; 
Its  body's  here— its  soul's  in  -  -  well, 
Even  if  I  knew  I  wouldn't  tell. 
Its  death  was  hard ;  its  life  was  brief; 
It  died  of  sorrow  and  mule  beef. 
Rest  from  care  and  strife ; 
Your  death  was  better  than  your  life. 
This  one  line  shall  grace  your  grave: 
Your  death  gave  freedom  to  the  slave." 


VICKSBURG  INCIDENT. 


I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  the  events  as  seen 
and  known  by  myself  on  the  22nd  day  of  May,  lcS(>3. 
Early  in  the  day  it  was  known  by  the  men  in  the 
ranks  what  was  expected  of  us,  and  as  we  looked  across 
the  valley  in  front  and  beheld  the  great  fort  and  for 
midable  earthworks,  I,  for  one,  must  confess  I  could 
not  see  any  prospect  of  success  in  the  assault.  There 


were  others  as  blue  as  myself.  Comrade  W.  came  to  me 
and  with  emotion  confessed  that  he  had  a  presentiment 
that  he  would  be  killed  that  day  and  requested  me  to 
take  charge  of  his  few  effects  and  forward  them  to  his 
friends  at  home.  I  tried  to  cheer  him  up  by  telling 
him  he  had  as  good  a  chance  as  myself;  as  it  happened, 
he  and  I  both  came  through  without  a  scratch.  I  pre- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


243 


sume  the  tragical  death  of  our  Captain  (Kellogg)  two 
days  before,  and  the  assignment  of  his  personal  effects 
by  him  to  the  care  of  1st  Sergeant  A.  L.  Bush  (after 
wards  Lieutenant)  before  the  advance  on  the  19th,  had 
a  depressing  effect  on  my  confidential  friend  and 
comrade. 

At  the  appointed  hour  we  fell  into  line,  fully  equipped 
for  the  charge,  with  bayonets  fixed,  and  orders  not  to 
fire  a  shot  till  within  the  enemy's  lines.  Marching 
orders  came,  and  before  we  knew  or  could  realize  our 
exact  surroundings,  we  were  in  the  midst  of  a  literal 
shower  of  Minie  bullets,  grapeshot  and  canister,,  with  a 
double  roll  of  Confederate  grays  firing  down  upon  us 
from  their  vantage  ground  of  breastworks  only  a  few 
rods  away.  They  manifested  an  astonishing  degree  of 
hostility,  considering  our  benevolent  intentions.  We 
only  wanted  to  do  them  good  ;  it  is  strange  they  did  not 
see  it  as  we  did.  Their  form  of  argument,  like  ours, 
was  hardly  consistent  with  the  millennial  era. 

Well,  my  place  that  day  was,  as  it  had  been  for  a 
long  time,  at  the  extreme  left  of  Company  C — "The 
little  Corporal".  My  pride  had  been  to  quickly  place 
myself  at  the  proper  distance  to  indicate  the  alignment 
for  the  Company  in  all  their  movements  by  the  front. 
As  soon  as  I  emerged  from  the  ravine,  up  which  we 
were  marching,  I  sprang  to  the  front,  aligning  myself 
with  the  colors,  our  company  distance  away,  and 
pressed  forward  on  this  line,  keeping  my  eye  on  the 
flags.  One  by  one  the  color  guards  dropped  out  in 
quick  succession,  killed  or  wounded,  until  apparently 
none  were  left  to  take  the  flag.  Sergeant  Sammie  Shaw, 
my  chum  and  tent-mate  all  the  way  from  Bloomington 
in  1861,  was  grandly  pressing  forward  with  the  national 
flag  all  riddled  and  torn  with  bullets,  but  as  yet  high 
up  to  the  front.  His  drinking  cup  had  been  pierced  by 
a  Minie  ball,  his  canteen  emptied  from  the  same  cause, 
and  his  haversack,  so  carefully  packed  in  the  morning 
with  "the  delicacies  of  the  season"  as  to  bring  down 
upon  him  from  the  boys  ridicule  and  laughter,  was  lit 
erally  cut  to  pieces  and  emptied  by  a  grapeshot  or  piece 
of  shell.  Unconscious  of  all  this  at  the  time,  Sergt. 
Sammie  and  the  flag  "were  still  there".  Talk  about  the 
"firing  line"  of  recent  wars!  What  was  this?  Noting 
the  situation  and  seeing  the  regimental  flag  falter  and 
partly  fall,  T  ran  the  length  of  the  company  and 


reached  it  in  time  to  hear  the  falling  hero  cry  out, 
"Take  the  flag"— which  I  instantly  proceeded  to  do,  as 
sisted  by  Lieut.  Lewis,  in  command  of  Company  C. 

Although  events  were  crowding  each  other  at  light 
ning  speed,  r  distinctly  remember  a  great  change  came 
quickly  into  the  face  or  our  loved  commander,  Lieut. 
Lewis.  As  I  glanced  at  him,  a  pallor  came  into  his 
face,  his  frame  shook  with  a  tremor,  and  for  a  moment 
I  thought  he  would  fall.  Our  eyes  together  dropped  to 
his  knee  and  I  saw  (he  felt  it)  a  bare  red  spot  about  the 
size  of  a  silver  dollar  where  a  grapeshot  had  grazed  the 
inside  of  his  knee.  He  rallied  instantly  when  he  real 
ized  his  wound  was  slight.  In  less  time  than  it  takes 
to  write  it  I  was  beside  Sergt.  Sammie  with  the  flag 
and  saying,  "Sammie,  I  am  with  you."  We  moved 
forward  together,  inspired  with  the  one  idea  that  we 
two  alone  could  whip  the  whole  Southern  Confederacy 
and  expected  to  do  it  that  very  day.  Suffice  it  to  say 
we  soon  changed  our  minds,  came  down  from  our  sup 
er-exalted  patriotism,  and,  according  to  orders,  sought 
shelter  to  the  left  over  the  railroad  and  under  a  semi 
circle  of  a  clay  bank  landslide,  till  darkness  allowed  us 
to  return  unmolested  to  our  camp  of  the  morning. 

In  this  charge  Comrade  Vinton  E.  Howell,  contrary 
to  orders,  halted  and  deliberately  fired  at  the  enemy, 
who  stood  out  openly  above  their  breastworks.  His  at 
titude,  defiant  expression  of  countenance,  and  words 
too  hot  for  record,  are  as  vivid  before  me  to-day  as  they 
were  nearly  forty  years  ago.  He  was  found  later  in  the 
the  day  with  a  few  others  in  the  ditch  of  the  big  fort, 
amusing  himself  by  tossing  back  hand  grenades  the 
Johnnies  threw  over  to  them.  Comrade  Elkin,  by  my 
side,  was  hit  square  in  the  back  by  a  spent  ball  (think 
it  was  a  grapeshot)  and  went  headlong  down  the  hill, 
arms  extended,  rifle  with  bayonet  fixed  and  gleaming 
brightly  high  in  the  air  in  front  of  him,  leaving  a  pic 
ture  on  my  mind  that  can  never  be  erased.  I  reported 
him  to  Lieut.  Lewis  as  killed,  but  much  to  my  sur 
prise  and  joy  he  reported  the  next  morning  all  O.  K. 
with  at  least  his  vocal  organs  unimpaired  as  he  gave 
vent  to  his  feelings  in  language  everything  but  com 
plimentary  to  the  other  side. 

CORNELIUS  DUBOIS,  "C"  Company. 

Palenville,  Greene  County,  N.  Y., 
May  1.5,  1901. 


MAY  22nd,  J863,  AND  ITS  FIRST  ANNIVERSARY. 


Corre^ondence  Bloomington  Pant«(/r(i})h.~] 


Reveille  at  dawn— tune,  "On  the  Banks  of  Aar, " 
awoke  me  to  execute  a  proposed  visit  to  that  part  of  the 
battlefield  occupied  by  the  33rd  Illinois  Volunteer  In 
fantry  in  the  assault  on  the  "Gibraltar  of  the  West," 
May  22nd,  1863.  Passing  out  on  the  Jackson  road, 


from  camp,  took  me  to  our  reserve  picket  post ;  a  few 
paces,  and  I  stood  on  consecrated  soil,  as  the  sun  had 
begun  to  illume  the  hilltops  just  like  one  year  ago. 
Leaving  the  road,  which  curves  in  a  southeast  direc 
tion,  I  entered  the  ravine  where  we  lay  the  night  of 


which   runs  east  from   the  court  house,    several   miles      the  21st.     The  creeping  vines  and  luxuriant  growth  of 


244 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


DANIEL   DONOVAN. 
"B"  Company. 


JOHN  A.  LARIMER,  1902. 
1st  Sergeant  "C"  Company. 


JONATHAN  B.  LOTT,  1865. 
Sergeant  "C"  Company. 


JOHN  S.  TAYLOR,  1902. 
Sergeant  "C"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


245 


semi-tropical  plants  and  shrubs  had  so  shrouded  the 
lacerated  earth  that  for  a  while  it  seemed  difficult  to 
"mark  the  footsteps  that  we  trod". 

The  first  place  that  familiari/ed  itself  was  that  occu 
pied  by  the  central  group  of  eight  men  ;  the  next,  where 
"Charley",  our  Frenchman,  vainly  endeavored  to  wile 
an  hour  from  sleep  ere  the  hour  of  ten  would  arrive, 
when  he  was  "to  prove  his  fidelity  to  the  flag  of  his 
choice".  Poor  fellow,  he  had  no  shade  under  which  to 
rest  his  fevered  brain,  and  ere  the  hour  came  a  mortal 
wound  sent  him  back  to  suffer  a  day  or  two  longer. 
On  the  other  side  lay  two  members  of  Co.  I,  on  whom 
the  solar  rays  seem  to  fall  soothingly,  for  they  slept 
peacefully,  as  if  dreaming  of  "loved  ones  at  home". 
But  a  rebel  bullet  entered  the  brain  of  one— 
"Startled  the  beautiful  vision  away 
Like  a  frightened  bird  of  the  night, 
And  it  seemed  to  the  soldier's  misty  brain 
But  the  shrill  tattoo  that  sounded  again." 
Just  here  those  of  Co.  C  were  grouped,  each  encour 
aging  the  other.  Only  a  day  or  two  previous  two  of 
our  number  were  taken  at  Baker's  creek ;  and  in  a  day 
or  two  later,  he  who  had  been  our  leader.  Here,  'neath 
this  tree,  where  now  the  redbird  feeds  its  young,  I 
saw  two  comrades  for  the  last  time.  Each  of  them 
seemed  to  know  that  it  would  be  so.  I  remember  the 
face  of  one,  so  suffused  with  tears  as  he  spoke  of  his 
wife  and  child,  and  then  I  thanked  Providence  that 
my  bridal  night  had  not  yet  come.  The  other,  with 
whom  tho'  "the  flesh  was  weak,  the  spirit  was  will 
ing",  who  was  as  enthusiastic  in  patriotism  as  assidu 
ous  in  caring  for  suffering  humanity.  To  them,  the 
cup  was  truly  bitter ;  though,  in  tears,  they  counted  it 
joy  to  die  for  their  country. 

Passing  the  hollow  where  our  wounded  Major  lay  all 
day   long  under  the  parching  sun,  and  continuing  up 
the  ravine,   whence  we  marched  up  one  year  ago,    I 
come  out   upon  the  road  again,  within  a  few  paces  of 
the  second  redoubt  from  the  railroad.     A  few  steps  east, 
on   the  north  side  of  the  road,  stands  a  headboard  on 
which  is  cut,   "W.   D.  Shoup,  and   T).  H.  Mitchell,  of 
Co.  C,  33rd  111.,  killed  May  22,  1863."     They   fill  one 
grave.     In  the  long  blue  grass  at  their  feet  I  found  two 
mutilated  cartridge  boxes,  a  piece  of  a  garment  which 
had   evidently   been   "dipped   in  blood",  and  a  haver 
sack  lay  mouldering  in  the  white  clover. 
"Nothing  to  eat  at  the  bivouac 
But  a  broken  crust  in  his  haversack, 
The  half  of  a  comrade's  store; 
A  crust  that  after  a  longer  fast 
Some  pampered  spaniel  might  have  passed, 
Knowing  that  morsel  to  be  the  last 
That  lay  at  his  master's  door." 

These  were  "men"  ;  they  were  not  officers;  ever  since 
they  lifted  up  their  hands  in  token  of  fidelity  to  their 
country's  defence,  they  "trod  the  wine  press"  for  our 
national  sins;  day  after  day  arid  night  after  night  they 
carried  its  burden  on  their  shoulders,  when  "the  sun 
consumed  them  by  day  and  the  frost  by  night".  But 


they  hunger  no  longer  and  thirst  no  more !  For  one,  I 
believe,  that  a  wife  and  child  laments ;  for  the  other, 
some  "loved  one",  I  know — for  the  angels  might  have 
envied  his  companionship.  But  neither  will  meet  the 
other  again  until  the  morn  they  greet  at  Heaven's  gate. 

Fain  would  I  have  lingered  by  the  graves  of  the  loved 
and  the  lost  along  this  line  of  battle,  from  river  to 
river,  remembering  on  how  many  hearthstones  a  shad 
ow  had  passed  one  year  ago.  Did  some  of  them  then 
think  that  their  orphans  would  soon  have  to  find  a 
place  among  strangers?  Think  of  this,  you  to  whom 
they  are  entrusted,  and  remember  that  their  father 
gave  his  life  on  the  battlefield  that  you  and  they  might 
live;  that  the  chains  which  were  being  fastened  upon 
your  free  institutions  might  be  broken. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  road  a  board  at  the  head  of  a 
grave  read,  "Win.  H.  Biggerstaff,  Co.  A,  33rd  111., 
killed  May  22nd,  18(53."  Further  east  are  two  of  the 
8th  Ind.,  in  one  grave.  On  the  rise,  which  is  literally 
the  graveyard  of  the  99th  III.  and  Co.  E  of  the  33rd 
111.,  is  the  grave  of  Francis  Thompson  of  Company  G, 
33rd  111.  Almost  all  the  others  are  nameless.  I  looked 
for  that  of  him  who  bore  our  colors  through  Missouri 
and  Arkansas,  but  failed  to  discover  it;  but  I  knew  that 
his  repose  is  "unbroken  by  the  last  of  foes",  and  that 
Minnesota  will  be  proud  to  add  the  name  of  Sergeant 
Bird  to  her  "soldiers'  death  roll". 

Crossing  over  the  hill  to  where  the  left  wing  of  the 
8th  Indiana,  under  Col.  Shunk,  united  with  our  left, 
under  Capts.  Lewis  and  Moore,  to  take  position  on  the 
hill  under  Fort  Pemberton,  I  looked  at  the  abattis 
through  which  Corporal  D.  Wills  was  bearing  our  regi 
mental  banner  when  he  was  shot  through  the  arm  which 
upheld  it.  When  I  missed  him,  fora  moment,  I  thought 
that  my  steps  must  be  retraced;  but  just  then  our 
"Little  Corporal"  appeared  through  the  fallen  timbers 
and  brush  with  the  flag,  saying,  "Go  ahead!  I  am 
with  you."  Passing  over  the  railroad  I  stumbled  over 
the  wire  which  rent  our  national  colors  that  day,  and 
which  proved  so  fatal  to  some  who  were  hurrying  over 
the  "Rubicon".  I  cut  off'  a  piece  as  a  memento  of  the 
past.  Continuing  on,  I  came  to  the  hill  which  we  held 
until  relieved  after  dark,  and  the  log  lies  there  yet  by 
which  Bob  Cleary  bivouacked  on  the  few  broken  crack 
ers  a  rebel  missile  left  in  my  haversack. 

Going  up  to  Fort  Pemberton— the  next  fort  to  the 
railroad,  south  side— I  took  a  piece  of  the  wire  from 
the  wire  fence  which  the  rebels  erected  a  few  feet 
in  front  of  their  fort  one  night,  and  which  one  of  our 
officers  had  the  audacity  to  try  to  pull  down  when  post 
ing  his  pickets  next  evening.  Retracing  my  steps,  I 
passed  over  the  place  we  occupied  during  the  siege.  A 
little  below  where  our  sutler's  tent  stood  is  the  lone 
tree  where  our  boys  used  to  sit  in  the  shade  ere  renew 
ing  their  hard  toil  in  the  ditch.  In  another  ravine 
our  Company  F  artist  used  to  employ  his  leisure  mo 
ments  sculpturing  in  the  clay  bank;  just  above  there 
sat  Sergeant  Besse,  of  Co.  A,  the  evening  a  shell  car 
ried  off  both  his  hands.  On  that  hill,  to  the  east,  was 


246 


REMINISCENCES  R  Y  COMRA  DES. 


our  battery  of  siege  guns— Major  Mulloiiey's;  and  just 
in  the  center  of  our  line  waved  Co.  C's  little  red,  white 
and  blue  flag,  from  a  half  inch  cane  staff,  which  was 
once  shot  down  ;  the  staff  was  half  cut  again,  and  two 
bullet  holes  in  the  flag.  It  waved  there  on  the  morning 
of  the  4th  of  July,  1863.  I  must  say  that  a  stranger 
would  not  now  be  able  to  tell  our  works  or  approaches, 
save  by  the  tunnel  ings,  and  they  are  fast  caving  in. 
Vegetation,  too,  is  hiding  what  could  longer  be  visible. 
Whilst  giving  a  farewell  glance  at  the  resting  place  of 
thousands  who  once  mingled  around  the  family  altar, 
the  court  house  clock  in  its  silvery  chimes  gave  the 
hour  of  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  What  a  difference,  though, 
in  the  sounds  which  fell  on  my  ears  this  morning  !  In 


stead  of  the  song  of  the  Minie,  like  bees  in  their  ire, 
the  click  of  percussion  bullets,  the  wailing  whistle  of 
spherical  shell,  grape  and  canister,  like  an  aeolian 
dirge  mid  the  shrouds  of  a  ship  in  a  gale,  mingled  with 
the  painful  complainings  of  the  wounded— instead  of 
these,  the  song  of  the  red  bird,  the  mimicry  of  the 
mockingbird,  and  the  plaintive  cry  of  the  turtledove. 
Million -voiced  Nature,  in  choral  harmonies,  sang  its 
annual  requiem  o'er  the  graves  of  the  martyrs. 

SAMMIE  SHAW,  "C"  Company. 

Vicksburg,  Miss.,  May  23,  1864. 

[Sergeant  Samuel  Shaw  carried  the  National  colors 
after  the  death  of  Sergeant  Bird,  in  the  charge  on  the 
works  at  Vicksburg,  May  22nd,  1863. —  V.  G.  Way.~\ 


CAMPFIRE  THOUGHTS. 


The  last  evening  on  the  march  from  Batesville  to 
Helena,  Ark.,  a  squad  of  B  Company  were  gathered 
around  the  campflre,  having  had  nothing  to  eat  that 
day  and  no  prospect  of  anything  the  next  day.  Their 
talk  of  what  they  would  like  to  have  to  eat  is  correctly 
told  by  one  of  the  relators,  B.  J.  Wakernan  : 

1st  Comrade — 

"We  gather  around  our  campflre  to-night, 
All  tired  out,  hungry  and  sore. 
Boys,  just  think  of  the  good  things  at  home — 
There  is  roast  beef,  chicken,  turkey  and  pie. 
If  we  only  had  them  here  to-night— O,  my  ! 
This  lank  stomach  would  live  mighty  high." 

2nd  Comrade — 

"I  would  like  the  turkey  all  piping  hot, 
Stuffed  full  of  oysters,  crackers  and  jumbles  ; 
These  things  for  me  would  surely  be 
The  quickest  cure  for  all  my  troubles." 

3rd  Comrade— 

"Give  me  the  juicy  roast  beef,  sissing  hot, 
Basted  with  nice  brown  gravy,   right  from  the  pot; 
With  plenty  mashed  'taters',  hot  biscuit  and  pickle; 
Leave  me  alone  and  I'd  be  tickled." 

4th  Comrade — 
"You  bet  that's  good  stuff,  but  give  me  the  chicken, 


Nicely  parboiled,  roasted  and  stuffed 

Plumb  full  of  crackers,  with  sage,  salt  and  pepper, 

And  I'd  get  along  very  well  till  my  stomach  gets  better. " 

5th  Comrade — 

"Boys,  I  wish  we  could  eat  to-night  at  our  homes, 
Where  the  table  with  plenty  is  loaded  till  it  groans ; 
Plump  chickens,  eggs  and  sugar-cured  ham," 
Muffins  and   rolls,   with   fruit   like  rubies,    celery  and 
jam." 

Here  Comrade  Leistico,  the  wild  Dutchman  of  Com 
pany  B,  who  had  been  standing  with  his  back  to  the 
fire  during  this  campfire  talk,  turned  around,  knocked 
the  ashes  out  of  his  pipe,  and  began  to  put  in  another 
load,  when  one  of  the  boys  said,  "Well,  Leistico,  what 
would  you  like  for  supper  to-night?"  After  lighting 
his  pipe  he  tossed  the  bla/ing  stick  back  into  the  fire, 
put  one  hand  on  his  empty  stomach,  held  his  pipe  in 
the  other  and  said  "Val."  After  taking  another  good 
long  whiff  he  said,  "Val,  led  me  see."  One  more  good 
whiff,  puffing  the  smoke  over  his  left  shoulder,  turn 
ing  his  face  to  the  front,  taking  his  pipe  in  his  left 
hand,  and  coming  to  the  position  of  "attention",  and 
he  said  :  "Val,  I  vant  dot  whole  ding  rnidt  swy  glass 
lager,  und  ve  go  over  rnidt  de  tent  under  und  have 
vone  bulley  gude  time." 


"A  PIONEER." 


I  was  detailed  into  the  Pioneer  Corps,  "Army  of  the 
Gulf",  Oct.  8th,  1863,  while  the  army  was  encamped 
near  New  Iberia,  La.,  and  was  assigned  to  the  "Bridge 
Builders'  Division".  Truman  Pearce  of  A  Co.  joined 
the  corps  at  the  same  time  and  was  my  comrade  and 
bedfellow  during  the  Opelousas  and  Texas  campaigns. 
There  were  few,  if  any,  better  boys  in  the  33rd  Illinois 


than  Truman  Pearce,  and  I  look  back  to  my  experience 
in  the  Pioneer  Corps  as  the  pleasantest  part  of  my  sol 
dier  life.  Captain  Lang,  of  the  llth  Wisconsin  Infty., 
was  our  commanding  officer  most  of  the  time.  He  of 
ten  said  he  did  not  want  to  know  he  had  any  rank  only 
on  pay  day.  He  was  a  boy  among  the  boys.  Gen. 
Banks  was  commanding  the  army  by  telegraph  from 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


247 


JAY  TAYLOR. 
Corporal  "C"  Company. 


JOSIAH  L.  BROWN. 
Corporal  "C"  Company. 


JAMES  COFFEY. 
Corporal  "C"  Company. 


JAMES  COFFEY,  1900. 


248 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


New  Orleans,  and  the  telegraph  line  was  being  con 
structed  as  fast  as  the  army  moved.  General  Washburn 
commanded  in  the  field. 

On  Oct.  10th  we  marched  to  within  a  few  miles  of 
Vermillionville  and  the  Pioneer  Corps  was  pushed  for 
ward  under  cavalry  escort  to  build  a  bridge  across  the 
bayou.  Gen.  Banks  had  come  up  Bayou  Techc  during 
the  night  on  a  small  steamboat  and  was  up  with  the 
advance  guard  of  the  army.  On  the  morning  of  the 
11  th,  as  we  were  marching  along,  a  few  horsemen  were 
seen  in  the  distance  coming  toward  us.  Only  a  small 
part  of  the  army  was  with  the  advance,  but  it  was  im 
mediately  put  in  battle  array.  The  batteries  were  or 
dered  to  shell  the  woods  a  mile  in  our  front.  We  soon 
built  a  bridge  across  the  bayon,  and  that  part  of  the 
army  with  us  marched  unopposed  into  Vermillionville. 
The  horsemen  who  had  so  excited  Gen.  Banks  were 
lield  hands  from  a  plantation  nearby  who  were  coming 
to  the  bayou  to  water  their  horses.  A  glorious  account 
of  this  victory  was  published  in  the  papers.  We  of 
the  Pioneer  Corps  were  in  that  battle,  and  when  we 
read  the  account  of  it  we  were  proud  of  the  part  we 
took  in  it.  It  was  the  only  conflict  I  took  part  in  dur 
ing  the  war  in  which  my  courage  was  equal  to  the  oc 
casion. 

We  remained  near  Vermillionville  until  Oct.  23rd,  and 
then  started  west,  marching  all  day  in  a  cold,  heavy 
rain.  On  the  24th  we  reached  Opelousas,  the  center  of 
a  rich  sugar  producing  country.  We  had  strict  orders 
against  foraging,  but  being  out  of  sugar,  six  of  us  took 
some  guns  from  one  of  the  wagons  and  started  out  on 
an  independent  expedition.  The  country  was  infested 
with  rebel  cavalry,  but  after  going  about  two  miles  we 
came  to  a  sugar  plantation.  The  planter  was  delighted 
to  see  us.  His  wife  was  gushing  with  joy  at  the  honor 
of  our  visit,  and  the  daughters  were  very  entertaining, 
but  we  found  no  sugar.  The  planter  and  his  family 
were  entirely  too  effusive  in  their  manners  to  suit  me, 
and  after  vainly  trying  to  get  the  boys  away  from  the 
girls,  I  started  down  the  lane  towards  another  sugar 
house  which  stood  a  few  rods  back  from  the  road.  As 
I  was  approaching  the  building  through  the  Held  I  saw 
three  men  fixing  the  roof  of  the  sugar  house.  They 
were  on  the  farther  side  of  the  roof  from  me.  I  care 
fully  entered  the  door  at  the  end  of  the  house  and 
began  to  rill  my  haversack  with  sugar,  when  I  heard 
one  of  the  men  on  the  roof  say,  "Yes,  they  will  catch 
them."  On  hearing  this  I  left  the  house  and  regained 
the  field,  but  not  until  I  was  discovered  by  the  men  on 
the  roof.  They  came  after  me,  calling  on  me  to  sur 
render,  but  I  held  them  otf  with  my  gun.  I  reached 
the  lane  and  saw  the  boys  coming  slowly  down  the  road 
with  a  body  of  rebel  cavalry  about  800  yards  behind 
them.  I  shoved  my  sack  of  sugar  through  the  fence, 
climbed  over  it,  called  loudly  to  the  boys  to  attract 
their  attention,  and  then  ran  across  the  road  into  a  corn- 
Held.  The  boys  were  captured  and  taken  to  Tyler, 
Texas,  as  prisoners  of  war.  Two  of  them  escaped,  but 
the  others  remained  until  the  end  of  the  war.  1  reached 


camp  with  my  sugar,  but  the  bitterness  accompanying 
the  getting  of  it  overbalanced  its  sweetness. 

On  the  27th  we  took  the  back  track  for  Brashear  City, 
which  we  reached  on  Nov.  19th,  1868.  I  never  have 
found  a  soldier  who  could  give  a  reason  for  that  fruitless 
campaign.  There  was  no  large  body  of  Confederate 
troops  in  our  front  at  any  time.  We  accomplished 
nothing  by  going,  arid  retreated  from  nothing  when  we 
returned.  On  Nov.  22nd  we  started  for  Algiers  by  the 
railroad  and  reached  there  the  same  day.  The  Pioneer 
Corps  was  loaded  onto  the  already  overloaded  steamship 
St.  Mary's,  and  on  the  26th  started  down  the  Mississippi 
river  for  Texas.  The  crew  of  the  St.  Mary's  was  rebel 
from  Captain  down  to  cook.  On  the  trip  down  the  riv 
er  the  boys  were  singing  "A  Life  on  the  Ocean  Wave" 
and  "Bounding  Billows"  all  night. 

We  reached  the  gulf  of  Mexico  about  daylight  the 
next  morning  in  a  gale,  and  nothing  more  was  heard 
about  the  beauties  of  the  "deep  blue  sea".  We  had  all 
the  "bounding  billows"  we  wanted  before  we  reached 
our  destination.  When  I  awoke  in  the  morning  my 
conscience  was  troubling  me  and  I  went  to  the  upper 
deck  to  find  relief  for  my  overburdened  soul.  The 
waves  were  awe-inspiring,  and  the  boys  were  unani 
mously  inspired  with  awe  and  several  other  sentiments. 
One  fellow,  entirely  destitute  of  the  finer  feelings  of  hu 
manity,  braced  himself  in  front  of  me  and  began  to  eat 
an  onion  and  some  raw  bacon.  The  combination  was 
too  much  for  my  sensibilities,  and  the  fountains  of  my 
great  deep  were  broken  up.  A  pretended  friend  offered 
me  a  can  of  sea  water  as  a  remedy  for  my  tired  feeling. 
The  infernal  stuff  reached  the  innermost  recesses  of  my 
soul  and  I  cast  my  bread  upon  the  waters.  I  was  sick 
all  day  and  felt  that  life  was  an  empty  dream  and  I  an 
empty  shell.  Along  towards  night  I  began  to  feel  bet 
ter,  and  meeting  the  fellow  who  prescribed  sea  water  as 
a  remedy  for  cholera  infantum,  which  he  said  was 
troubling  me,  I  heaped  opprobrium  on  his  devoted  head. 
He  was  a  Christian  and  took  my  abuse  good-naturedly. 
He  finally  made  a  bed  on  the  deck,  took  me  in  his 
arms  and  laid  me  to  rest. 

I  can  never  forget  that  first  night  at  sea.  The  old 
ship  was  going  a  ten-mile  gait;  she  would  go  up,  up, 
and  then  "down,  down  so  deep  where  the  dark  waters 
sleep,"  until  I  feared  she  would  stick  in  the  mud  and 
forget  to  start  up  again.  The  boys  who  were  devoid  of 
feeling  were  singing  "Home,  Sweet  Home",  until  I 
experienced  a  feeling  of  homesickness  that  was  worse, 
if  possible,  than  the  seasickness.  With  that  sweet  mel 
ody  floating  on  the  air,  I  fell  into  a  troubled  sleep  and 
dreamed  of  mermaids  and  monsters  of  the  deep.  The 
wind  went  down  in  the  night  and  the  sea  was  less  tur 
bulent  in  the  morning.  My  seasickness  and  home 
sickness  were  soon  forgotten  in  the  eventful  scenes 
which  transpired  during  the  day. 

The  mate  of  the  ship,  who  was  an  ill-natured  man,  re 
fused  to  furnish  fresh  water  for  us  in  the  morning,  as 
the  officers  were  bound  by  contract  to  do.  The  Captain 
was  appealed  to ;  he  also  refused.  Qeul.  Lawler,  ^our 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


249 


commander,  was  too  sick  to  enforce  any  commands. 
A  few  of  the  determined  men  read  the  riot  act  to  the 
Captain  and  mate  and  demanded  water  for  the  men 
who  were  famishing.  After  parleying  an  hour  the  boys 
appointed  a  delegation  to  go  into  the  hold,  open  the 
water  tanks  and  procure  water.  The  mate  tried  to  pre 
vent  them.  He  was  quietly  picked  up  by  two  resolute 
soldiers  and  cast  into  the  sea.  The  Captain  threatened 
to  shoot  and  was  sent  down  to  interview  the  mate.  The 
ship  was  stopped  and  the  water-soaked  officers  taken 
aboard.  We  soon  had  all  the  hot  and  cold  water  we 
wanted.  I  am  not  a  Baptist,  but  I  will  admit  that  it 
was  a  remarkable  conversion.  A  Baptist  chaplain  on 
board  the  ship  pronounced  the  immersion  perfectly  sat 
isfactory.  The  ship's  officers  caused  us  no  further 
trouble.  Hot  and  cold  water  were  in  abundance  and  the 
supply  was  constant. 

We  landed  next  morning  on  Decrow's  Point,  five 
miles  from  Fort  Ksperanza.  Decrow's  Point  is  the 
western  end  of  Matagorda  Peninsula,  which  is  50  miles 
long  and  three  miles  wide,  running  parallel  with  the 
Texas  coast.  It  belonged  to  Colonel  Decrow,  a  rebel. 
This  ranch  was  stocked  with  thousands  of  cattle  and 
sheep,  all  of  which  were  confiscated  for  the  use  of  the 
army.  We  had  plenty  of  meat,  but  other  rations  were 
short,  to  the  point  of  starvation.  Boat  loads  of  sutler 
goods  came  from  New  Orleans,  but  no  rations  for  the 
men.  The  boys  of  the  Pioneer  Corps  raided  one  loaded 
with  sutler  goods.  They  foraged  about  $500  worth  of 
eatables.  Afterward  General  Washburn  confiscated  a 
shipload  of  sutler  supplies  and  we  lived  high  for  a  time. 
The  government  had  the  bill  to  pay. 

While  we  were  on  the  Point  we  were  engaged  in 
building  a  pier  so  that  ships  could  be  unloaded  in  our 
vicinity.  On  Dec.  13th  a  few  of  us  were  ordered  to 
take  a  small  vessel  and  go  up  the  bay  towards  Indian- 
ola,  tear  up  an  old  pier  and  bring  the  lumber  to  the 
Point.  Only  two  of  our  number  were  sailors.  I  was 
appointed  "Commodore".  I  take  it  this  honor  was 
conferred  upon  me  because  I  knew  nothing  about  sail 
ing  a  vessel.  It  was  a  warm,  pleasant  afternoon  when 
we  started,  arid  we  left  our  coats  and  blankets  in  camp. 
There  was  a  light  wind  and  we  reached  the  pier  in 
about  two  hours.  In  another  hour  we  had  enough  lum 
ber  torn  up  to  load  our  boat.  Meanwhile  the  wind  had 
shifted  to  the  northwest.  The  sailors,  DuBois  and 
Wilson,  bad  shortened  sail  and  otherwise  prepared  for 
the  impending  gale.  The  sand  was  flying  in  great 


clouds  in  the  vicinity  of  Indianola,  and  DuBois  advised 
all  hands  to  board  the  vessel  and  prepare  to  run  before 
the  wind.  In  a  short  time  we  were  struck  by  the  squall, 
and  running  under  bare  poles  were  swept  down  the  bay 
with  race-horse  speed.  As  we  neared  the  Point  the 
sailors  decided  it  would  be  dangerous  to  try  to  land. 
They  headed  the  vessel  towards  the  open  waters  of  the 
gulf.  In  a  short  time  we  were  out  of  sight  of  land  and 
darkness  was  settling  down  upon  us.  We  were  without 
lights,  chart  or  compass,  upon  (to  us)  an  unknown 
sea,  and  near  an  unknown  coast.  The  sailors  were  cool 
and  stood  bravely  at  their  posts.  The  crew  found  ref 
uge  in  the  hold,  as  there  was  nothing  they  could  do. 
The  Commodore  remained  on  deck  to  help,  with  advice, 
if  needed.  DuBois  soon  changed  our  course  so  as  to 
run  parallel  with  the  coast.  That  was  the  wildest  night 
I  ever  experienced.  It  was  intensely  cold  for  that  cli 
mate.  We  were  wet  with  spray  and  chilled  through 
and  through.  We  suffered  intensely  all  night.  At  last 
the  morning  came.  The  sun  rose  in  shining  splendor. 
Our  spirits  rose  and  kept  pace  with  the  sun.  We  could 
see  nothing  but  the  glorious  sun,  the  beautiful  sky  and 
a  wilderness  of  boiling  waters  and  foaming  waves. 
While  we  were  discussing  the  situation  we  heard  the 
roar  of  a  distant  cannon  and  a  ball  struck  the  water 
near  us,  and  on  close  inspection  we  saw  a  ship  in  the 
distance.  Presently  a  small  boat  was  lowered  from  the 
ship  and  came  speeding  towards  us.  In  a  few  minutes 
an  officer  hailed  us  and  was  invited  to  come  aboard. 
As  he  came  on  deck  we  saluted  him.  I  gave  him  my 
written  order  to  go  after  lumber;  also  all  the  informa 
tion  he  asked  for.  He  read  our  order  and  smilingly  re 
marked  that  we  were  a  great  way  from  home ;  that  he 
would  report  the  matter  to  his  commanding  officer. 
When  he  reached  his  ship  its  course  was  changed  and 
in  a  few  minutes  she  was  alongside  of  us.  Captain 
Palmer,  her  commander,  invited  the  Commodore  and 
his  men  to  come  aboard.  This  invitation  was  gladly 
accepted.  We  took  breakfast  and  dinner  on  the  ship 
while  being  towed  to  Matagorda  Bay.  When  we  landed 
I  promptly  resigned  from  the  navy. 

A  few  days  after  the  event  above  narrated,  the  Pio 
neer  Corps  went  up  to  Indianola  to  build  a  wharf  or 
landing.  We  found  the  33rd  encamped  there  and  were 
glad  to  again  be  near  our  friends.  I  dissolved  my  con 
nection  with  the  Pioneers  and  cast  my  lot  with  the  reg 
iment  in  time  to  re-enlist  for  three  years  more. 

JOHN  M.  FOLLETT. 


INCIDENTS  AT  MONTGOMERY,  ALABAMA. 


When  we  arrived  at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  from  our  long 
march  from  Mobile,  we  were  anything  but  a  cleanly, 
well-dressed  body  of  men.  It  being  warm  weather, 
few  of  us  carried  anything  but  the  bare  necessities  of 
life.  My  outfit,  besides  my  equipment,  consisted  of  a 


towel,  piece  of  soap,  two  blankets,  a  piece  of  shelter 
tent,  small  frying  pan,  tin  plate,  cup,  spoon,  knife  and 
fork.  Thus  far  no  opportunity  had  been  afforded  us  to 
obtain  a  new  supply  of  clothing.  We  were  camped  on 
ground  that  had  been  lately  occupied  by  the  Johnnies. 


32 


250 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


WILLIAM  J.  BISHOP. 
"C"  Company. 


ROBERT  W.  CLEARY. 
"C"  Company. 


JOHN  S.  MOORE,  1896. 
"C"  Company. 


ABIAL  ROSENGRANT,  1864. 
1st  Sergeant  "D"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


251 


Having  no  change  of  clothes,  we  were  soon  attacked  by 
the  friends  the  Johnnies  had  left  behind.  The  greyback 
is  a  gay  and  festive  creature.  Its  use  in  nature's  economy 
seems  to  be  obscure.  They  were  there  and  we  got  them. 
We  exhausted  every  peaceful  means  known  to  modern 
warfare  to  rid  ourselves  of  them,  but  without  success. 

I  went  down  to  the  river  about  one-half  mile  away, 
taking  with  me  a  camp  kettle.  Partially  filling  it  with 
water,  I  built  a  fire  under  it,  removed  all  of  my  cloth 
ing,  and  when  the  water  was  at  the  boiling  point, 
placed  the  clothes  therein.  I  fairly  cried  with  joy  at 
the  antics  of  those  discomfited  enemies  of  law  and  order 
represented  by  the  soldiers  of  the  republic.  As  I  thus 
stood  around  the  fire,  clothed  in  the  garments  nature 
gave  me  at  my  birth,  the  long  roll  beat  at  camp.  This 
call  must  be  attended  to  under  all  circumstances.  The 
situation  to  be  appreciated  fully  should  have  been  wit 
nessed.  I  tipped  over  the  kettle,  wrung  the  hot  water 
out  of  my  clothes,  and  started  with  them  and  the  kettle  to 
camp.  I  put  on  the  clothing  as  fast  as  their  heated 
condition  would  permit  of.  When  I  arrived  at  quarters 
I  found  there  had  been  a  false  alarm.  Possibly  it  was 
a  put-up  job  by  the  relatives  of  the  greybacks  remain 
ing  in  camp  to  assault  the  Drum  Corps,  to  create  a  di 
version  in  favor  of  the  "innocents"  being  slaughtered 
at  the  river. 

The  question  of  rations  for  the  troops  at  Montgomery 
had  become  a  serious  one.  We  had  been  living  for  sev 
eral  days  on  a  ration  consisting  of  a  pint  cup  of  unsifted 
corn  meal,  one  pound  of  fresh  beef,  no  salt,  no  sugar, 
no  coffee,  as  a  daily  ration.  This  may  read  all  right, 
but  it  was  very  deficient  as  to  quantity  and  staying 
qualities.  The  meal  we  could  cook  into  mush  in  our 
tin  cups  or  wet  it  with  water  into  dough  and  bake  it 
by  rolling  it  in  the  ashes  near  the  fire.  The  meat  was 
tough  and  stringy.  It  was  said  that  no  animals  were 
killed  for  the  day's  consumption  that  showed  signs  of 
living  until  the  next  day.  This,  of  course,  was  from  a 
humanitarian  standpoint.  They  wanted  to  relieve  the 
animals  from  their  suffering. 

I  was  sent  out  as  one  of  the  corral  guard.  One  of  the 
duties  of  that  guard  was  to  shoot  the  cattle  in  the  morn 
ing  for  use  that  day.  One  of  the  perquisites  of  the  guard 
was  the  brains  from  the  animals  shot  by  him.  This 
brain  eating  was  new  business  to  me.  I  was  not  up  to 
all  the  tricks  of  the  war  trade  as  practiced  by  the  veter 


ans,  but,  being  an  apt  pupil,  I  soon  "caught  on".  I 
removed  the  brains  from  one  steer,  wrapped  them  in 
leaves  and  carried  them  to  camp.  On  arriving  there,  I 
proceeded  to  fry  them  in  their  own  grease.  I  had  no 
salt  to  season  them  with.  After  eating  one -third  of  my 
corn  meal  ration  made  into  mush,  being  slightly 
hungry,  I  relished  the  fried  brains.  It  is  said  that  "it 
takes  a  part  to  strengthen  a  part".  My  reasoning  fac 
ulties  were  thus  re-enforced  to  such  an  extent  that  I 
hired  a  man  that  was  detailed  the  next  day  for  corral 
guard  to  let  me  take  his  place.  I  had  found  the  spring 
of  perpetual  satisfaction,  if  not  of  youth.  When  I  re 
turned  to  camp  I  brought  with  me  the  brains  from  the 
heads  of  two  steers,  cooked  them  as  before,  ate  part  of 
them,  and  became  sick  as  a  dog  hunting  grass  and  no 
grass  to  be  found.  My  stomach  had  rebelled  against 
the  attack  of  my  brains.  It  is  a  known  fact  that  my 
brains  have  not  been  thus  re-inforced  since  that  event. 
I  really  felt  sorry  for  the  Spanish  War  soldiers  in  Cuba 
and  the  canned  meats  so  much  talked  about.  If  they 
had  only  used  "brains"  they  would  have  ceased  their 
murmurings. 

A  few  boxes  of  hard  bread,  or  hard  tack,  as  we  called 
it,  had  been  saved  for  use  in  the  hospital  for  the  sick  or 
those  in  attendance  there.  Through  dampness  it  had 
become  mouldy  and  unfit  for  their  use.  It  was  drawn 
out  and  dumped  on  the  ground  near  our  quarters. 
Naturally  being  on  the  lookout  for  "soft  snaps",  this 
chance  did  not  escape  me.  I  took  my  haversack  and 
knife  and  ran  with  others  to  this  godsend.  Soon  we 
were  as  thick  around  that  pile  of  spoiled  crackers  as  we 
could  kneel  and  work.  Others  were  reaching  over  our 
shoulders  to  get  their  share  as  we  dug  this  mouldering 
mass  apart.  A  piece  of  good  cracker  as  large  as  one's 
finger  was  as  eagerly  picked  up  as  if  it  had  been  a  pearl 
of  great  price.  The  pieces  thus  obtained  were  either 
eaten  then  or  conveyed  to  the  haversack  for  future  use. 
My  full  haversack  on  my  return  to  quarters  caused  joy 
among  our  little  mess.  The  relief  was  timely.  A  flock 
of  chickens  around  a  pile  of  chaff,  each  scratching  as  if 
life  depended  upon  each  scratch,  has  often  reminded 
me  of  that  scene.  A  diet  such  as  these  words  relate 
tends  to  strengthen  patriotism  to  such  an  extent  that 
no  assaults  in  after  years  could  shake  its  steadfastness 
to  the  country  which  through  suffering  had  been  ce 
mented  into  one  indissolvable  union. 


LEISTICO  AND  TIM. 


Part  of  the  regiment  had  been  down  below  Prentiss, 
Miss.,  on  a  raid  after  cotton.  The  boats  were  well 
loaded  and  we  were  on  the  return  trip.  The  river  was 
low  and  the  water  as  a  means  of  quenching  thirst  had 
unpleasant  results.  Leistico  had  by  some  means  se 
cured  a  bottle  of  "Hostetter's  Stomach  Bitters".  This 
unpalatable  stuff  was  sometimes  used  by  the  boys  as  a 


beverage.  Its  intoxicating  qualities  were  almost  as 
pronounced  as  its  bitter  taste,  but  being  a  patent  medi 
cine,  its  sale  was  allowable.  It  was  recommended  for 
cramps,  actual  and  prospective.  The  prospective  cramp 
to  the  soldier  was  a  woeful  contemplation  and  was  to  be 
fortified  against  when  possible.  This  cotton  raiding 
was  disagreeable  business ;  the  weighing  up  of  life  on 


252 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


the  one  side  against  private  gain  on  the  other  (and  often 
the  scale  on  the  life  side  overbalanced  the  gain  side) 
disgusted  and  discouraged  the  boys.  It  was  carried  on 
under  the  semblance  of  Government  authority.  It  was 
nothing  but  legalized  freebooting — the  soldier  and  help 
less  planter  the  victims,  the  speculator  and  those  in 
command  the  beneficiaries.  It  was  not  war,  it  was 
murder  and  pillage,  and  under  the  circumstances  the 
soldier  should  not  be  blamed  if  he  partook  of  something 
to  temporarily  relieve  his  sufferings  through  oblivion. 
Soon  after  the  boat  started  on  the  return  trip,  Leis- 
tico,  Wesley  Smart,  Block  and  Holtzkampf  sat  down  to 
play  eucher.  After  a  few  games  had  been  played,  Leis- 
tico  took  the  bottle  of  bitters  from  his  haversack,  took  a 
drink  and  passed  it  to  his  companions  in  the  game, 
saying,  "Dot  ish  good  stuff."  When  the  bottle  was  re 
turned  to  him  he  took  another  drink,  saying  "Yaw, 
yaw,  dot  ish  gude. "  He  put  the  bottle  in  the  haver 
sack  and  the  game  went  on.  Tim,  an  Irishman  of  D 
Company,  was  looking  at  the  players.  His  mouth  was 


all  fixed  up  to  sample  the  bottle.  When  Leistico  put  it 
in  the  haversack  Tim  gave  him  a  gentle  tap  on  the 
shoulder  and  said,  "Ould  boy,  can't  ye  pass  it  around?" 
Without  looking  up,  Leistico  said,  "Yaw,  yaw,"  but 
kept  on  playing  his  cards.  As  Leistico  was  dealing  the 
cards  for  another  hand,  Tim  said,  "Ould  pard,  ye  are 
in  great  luck,  sure,  to  make  such  a  foine  hand  as  that. 
If  I  were  the  likes  of  ye,  I'd  stand  the  treats."  "Yaw, 
yaw,"  said  Leistico,  as  he  placed  the  cards  in  his 
hands,  preparatory  to  playing  his  hand.  Tim  kept 
teasing  him  for  some  of  the  bitters,  Leistico  all  the 
time  saying,  "Yaw,  yaw."  Finally  he  took  the  bottle 
from  the  haversack,  took  a  drink  and  passed  it  to  his 
companions.  As  it  came  back  to  him  Tim  again  re 
minded  him  of  the  promised  drink.  Leistico,  looking 
Tim  in  the  eyes,  said,  "Yaw,  yaw,"  and  after  the  last 
drop  had  gone  down  his  throat  he  threw  the  bottle 
overboard,  turned  to  Wesley  Smart  and  said,  "  Ves,  Ves, 
vot  he  said?"  Tim  was  too  disgusted  to  say  anything. 
He  got  up  and  went  to  his  company. 


A  NEW  ENGLAND  VILLAGE  IN  ALABAMA. 


In  the  afternoon  of  a  warm  day  on  our  march  from 
Montgomery  to  Selma  we  emerged  into  a  valley  in 
which  was  located  a  pretty  manufacturing  village. 
The  surroundings  of  the  village  and  the  village  itself 
were  beautiful.  That  such  a  place  could  exist  in  the 
south  was  a  surprise  to  us.  To  those  of  the  men  who 
were  familiar  with  New  England,  this  scene  carried 
them  back  to  their  childhood  days.  Through  the 
valley  ran  a  noisy,  chattering  stream  that  should  have 
been  the  home  of  the  trout  fish.  From  the  little  valley 
rose  in  gentle  undulations  farm  homes  with  the  modest 
surroundings  which  betokened  the  contented  farmer 
who  tilled  with  his  own  hands  his  fertile  fields.  This 
was  in  direct  contrast  to  the  large  fields,  manor  house, 
and  the  group  of  small  houses  adjacent  for  the  negroes, 
that  were  the  characteristics  of  agriculture  in  the  south. 
Here  was  the  characteristic  home  of  the  freeman,  sur 
rounded  by  and  in  direct  contrast  to,  if  you  may  call 
them  such,  that  of  the  bondman.  The  village  itself, 
with  its  one  crooked  street,  followed  the  course  of  the 
stream,  with  plain,  neat  houses  painted  white,  with 
flowers  in  the  yard  in  front  of  the  house,  the  white  picket 
fence  separating  the  yard  from  the  main  street,  this 
street  bordered  by  neatly  trimmed  forest  trees ;  the 
white  church  with  its  tapering  spire,  the  brick  two- 
story  school  house  surrounded  by  a  cupola  with  its  bell 
plainly  in  view.  All  of  this,  and  more,  greeted  our 
eyes,  for  farther  down  the  street  towards  the  lower  end  we 
could  see  long  two  and  three-story  buildings  containing 
many  windows. 

We  could  hardly  believe  our  senses,  let  alone  our  eyes. 
The  enchanted  lamp  of  Aladdin  must  have  guided  us 
into  realms  imaginary.  Was  this  scene  real,  or  had  a 


spell  been  thrown  over  us?  The  command — "Company 
to  the  front,  march  !"  brought  us  to  realize  that  it  was 
indeed  real,  and  as  we  marched  down  that  street,  our 
lines  as  straight  as  when  on  parade,  the  drums  beating, 
the  flag  unfurled,  the  people  who  lined  the  street  say 
ing,  "What  a  fine  body  of  men  !"  "They  must  he  regu 
lars. "  "What  regiment  is  that?" — Then  we  knew  that 
we  were  viewing  a  gem  whose  rough  setting  only  en 
hanced  its  beauty.  Such  a  scene  in  the  southland 
seemed  an  impossibility.  As  we  marched  by  the  long, 
high  buildings  we  saw  that  the  windows  were  decorat 
ed  with  forms  and  faces  of  young,  fair  women,  and  as 
the  glancing  eyes  of  the  soldiers  caught  sight  of  the 
waving  handkerchiefs  their  forms  straightened  up,  their 
alignment  was  perfect ;  they  indeed  were  in  review,  but 
from  the  scenes  surrounding  them,  their  thoughts  were 
carried  to  their  distant  homes.  Their  thoughts  were  of 
the  time  when  they  marched  away  to  do  duty  for  Uncle 
Sam  in  correcting  his  wayward  children.  On  this  er 
rand  they  had  been  bidden  good-by  in  a  similar  manner. 
Could  these  people  be  a  part  of  those  whom  we  were 
chastising  for  their  own  good?  Were  these  cheers  from 
the  people  along  the  line  and  the  good  luck  waved  by 
the  fair  hands  at  the  factories  hypocrisy?  These  factor 
ies  had  been  turning  out  large  quantities  of  cotton  goods 
for  the  southern  army.  These  beautiful  farms  had  been 
supplying  the  people  with  food  to  sustain  them  in  this 
labor.  The  flowers  from  the  front  yards  had  graced  the 
pulpit  from  which  prayers  for  the  success  of  the  south 
ern  arms  had  been  freely  offered.  In  the  schoolhouse 
the  children  had  been  taught  to  despise  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  that  made  such  things  as  contained 
in  this  beautiful  valley  possible.  Here  was  freedom 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


253 


THOMAS   WARREN. 
1st  Sergeant  "D"  Company. 


JOHN  A.  KUYKENDALL,  1902. 
Sergeant  "D"  Company. 


DANIEL  C.  PELHAM. 
Sergeant  "D"  Company. 


THOMAS  CARROLL,  1864. 
Corporal  "D"  Company. 


254 


REMINISCENCES  H  Y  COMRADES. 


working  to  enslave.  Here  the  opposites  were  exempli 
fied.  Here  was  a  seemingly  happy  people  away  from 
war's  alarms,  enjoying  in  Utopian  simplicity  the  es 
sence  of  free  government.  Our  regiment  was  the  first 
Union  soldiers  they  had  seen,  and  as  we  marched  across 
the  little  bridge  at  the  end  of  the  street  no  stragglers 
were  left  behind  ;  no  depredations  were  committed  to 
mar  the  good  impression  formed  of  us.  Our  passing 
was  but  a  chapter  in  the  life  of  this  peaceful  village. 
To  us  the  view  of  its  beauty  and  contentedness  had  reliev 


ed  the  monotony  of  that  uninteresting  country.  This  set 
tlement  was  made  by  New  Englanders ;  they  had  car 
ried  their  characteristics  of  neatness  and  thrift  with 
them.  Their  interests  with  the  southern  people  had 
made  them  loyal  to  that  cause,  but  the  sturdy  North 
erner  marching  under  the  old  flag  and  to  the  same  mu 
sic  that  their  fathers  had  marched  under  and  to,  car 
ried  them  back  in'  memory  to  the  old  home,  and  once 
again  they  cheered  the  flag  of  their  fathers  and  rejoiced 
at  the  music  of  the  Nation. 


BELGIAN  RIFLES. 


B  Company,  during  its  early  service,  was  armed  with 
the  Belgian  rifle.  They  were  flint-lock  guns,  altered 
over  into  a  percussion  primer  aflair.  They  might  have 
been  used  in  the  Napoleon  wars— they  were  crude 
enough  to  be  a  relic  of  that  date.  Oh,  how  they  would 
kick !  They  kicked  at  both  ends,  humped  up  their 
backs  and  kicked  your  hand  underneath  the  rifle.  They 
were  a  sort  of  a  tri-weekly  gun— you  loaded  them  in  one 
week  and  worked  the  next  week  to  get  them  unloaded. 
They  carried  an  ounce  ball  and  a  handfull  of  buckshot. 
If  they  had  been  repeaters— that  is,  if  you  could  have 
fired  them  twice  the  same  day — they  would  have  been  a 
formidable  weapon.  It  required  much  pressure  on  the 
trigger  to  bring  down  the  hammer.  This  was  a  good 
calculation,  as  the  butt  of  the  gun  was  by  that  means 
placed  securely  against  the  shoulder ;  otherwise  a  fresh 
shoulder  would  have  been  required  at  each  discharge. 

B  Company,  while  at  Bailey's  Station,  Mo.,  furnish 
ed  a  picket  and  bridge  guard.  These  guards,  when 
they  returned  to  camp,  were  instructed  to  discharge 
their  rifles.  To  do  so  with  safety  the  rifle  was  fastened 
to  a  rail  fence,  and  a  gun  strap  was  tied  to  the  trigger ; 
this  was  pulled  by  the  owner  of  the  gun  after  he  had 
secured  a  safe  position.  We  had  orders  not  to  use  any 
fence  rails  from  standing  fence,  but  the  daily  discharge 
of  the  rifles  that  could  be  coaxed  to  go  off  furnished 
plenty  of  scattered  rails  for  the  camp  fires.  The  hogs 
that  roamed  thro'  the  the  woods  were  accustomed  to 


come  to  the  bank  below  the  cook  shanty  to  pick  up  the 
scraps  thrown  there  by  the  cook.  No  one  could  tell 
with  accuracy  what  direction  the  balls  from  the  rifle 
would  take  when  they  were  discharged.  Sometimes 
the  hogs  came  within  range  of  the  battery,  and  then 
fresh  pork  was  served  by  the  cook.  Those  in  command, 
not  fully  knowing  the  peculiarities  of  the  rifle,  unjustly 
accused  the  men  of  luring  the  hogs  within  range,  and 
sided  with  the  owner  of  the  porkers  when  he  demand 
ed  payment  for  the  hogs  "accidentally"  killed.  Thus 
the  poor  soldier  was  kicked  by  officer  as  well  as  gun, 
until  he  learned  that  by  hammering  a  copper  cent  into 
the  breech  of  the  gun,  that  part  of  the  kick  was  re 
moved  ;  but  then  the  soldier  did  the  kicking— the  fences 
ceased  to  fall  down.  He  was  compelled  to  gather 
wood  from  the  timber  and  carry  it  to  camp  on  his 
back.  The  hogs  changed  their  feeding  place.  No  more 
fresh  pork  was  served  by  the  cook,  but  opossum  steak 
was  fine  eating.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  Missouri  pig 
and  opossum  so  much  resembled  each  other  that  the  sol 
dier  might  have  made  a  mistake  in  the  opossum  hunts 
that  were  often  undertaken  with  success.  For  fear  that 
a  mistake  might  have  been  made,  and  not  wishing  to 
have  the  official  presence  disturbed,  the  skin  and  bones  of 
the  opossums  were  carefully  destroyed.  Belgian  rifle, 
opossum  and  Bailey's  Station  are  closely  associated  to 
gether  in  the  memory  of  the  early  soldier  life  of  the 
company. 


THE  MOBILE  &  OHIO  RAILROAD  TRAIN  GUARD. 


While  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  Meridian,  Miss., 
in  the  summer  of  1865,  a  detail  of  thirty  men  was  made 
from  the  38rd  111.  Infantry  to  guard  the  trains  from 
Meridian,  Miss.,  to  Mobile,  Ala.  The  detail  was  di 
vided  into  three  reliefs  or  squads,  each  under  a  Lieu 
tenant.  Lieut.  E.  T.  Durant  of  B  Co.  commanded  the 
squad,  in  which  I  was  detailed.  I  can  only  remember 
the  names  of  two  men  that  were  with  me  on  the  guard 
—Corporal  Geo.  B.  Heartt  of  B  Co.  and  William  F. 


Giddings  of  H  Co.,  they  having  been  closely  connected 
with  me  in  some  of  the  incidents  to  be  related.  Their 
identity  is  too  firmly  established  for  the  36  years  that 
have  elapsed  since  that  time  to  efface  from  memory. 

Our  duties  were  light.  We  aided  the  conductor  to  main 
tain  order,  and  guarded  government  property.  The 
trains  were  mixed  ones,  freight  and  passenger,  the 
only  kind  that  ran  at  that  time.  Many  discharged 
Confederate  soldiers  from  Johnston's  and  Lee's  armies 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


255 


were  returning  to  their  former  homes  in  the  southwest; 
also  many  citizens,  white  and  colored,  who  also  had 
been  with  the  armies,  or  had  moved  east  as  the  Union 
jinnies  occupied  their  country,  were  returning  to  re 
sume  life  under  the  new  conditions  that  the  war  had 
produced.  They  were,  as  a  rule,  a  jovial,  good-natured 
set.  The  past  was  behind  them ;  the  future  was  an  un 
known  quantity ;  but,  like  true  Americans,  they  were 
willing  to  take  up  the  burdens  of  life  again  and  solve 
the  problems  as  they  came  to  them,  to  the  best  interests 
of  themselves  and  the  country  of  which,  by  force  of 
arms,  they  had  been  compelled  to  remain  unwilling  cit- 
i/ens.  They  required  little  attention  from  us  unless 
some  one  had  obtained  a  quantity  of  commissary,  then 
our  work  was  somewhat  troublesome;  but  at  that  time 
the  authority  of  the  government  represented  by  the 
"bluecoats"  was  universally  respected. 

We  occupied  two  nights  and  one  day  in  making  the 
round  trip.  We  were  furnished  witli  passes  that  would 
take  us  anywhere  in  Mobile,  one  of  which  I  now  have. 
Thus  our  day  off  at  Mobile  was  made  pleasant  and  prof 
itable  to  us.  The  regiment  having  been  engaged  in  the 
Mobile  campaign  and  hurried  off  to  Montgomery,  Ala., 
soon  after  the  surrender  of  Mobile,  we  had  had  no  time 
to  examine  the  city  or  fortifications.  The  arsenal  and 
its  yards  filled  with  captured  ammunition  and  cannon, 
were  a  source  of  much  interest  to  us.  The  great  Arm 
strong  guns  with  the  arrow  brand  on  them,  denoting 
their  place  of  manufacture,  did  not  improve  our  feel 
ings  toward  our  English  cousins.  Those  guns  only 
could  have  been  sent  to  the  Confederates  through  the 
consent  and  aid  of  the  English  Government.  This  to 
us  was  ample  proof  of  their  perfidy.  Much  of  the  am 
munition  was  of  English  make.  We  knew  that  they 
had  it,  because  often  during  the  siege  of  Mobile  the  am 
munition  used  by  the  Johnnies  would  give  a  quick, 
sharp  report  and  emit  a  light  blue  smoke,  which  was 
different  from  that  of  their  own  or  our  manufacture. 

While  at  Meridian  we  were  quartered  near  the  rail 
road  station  away  from  the  regiment.  Wre  were  in  some 
respects  an  independent  command,  yet  we  drew  our  ra 
tions  from  the  regimental  Quartermaster.  These  we 
supplemented  by  purchases  at  Mobile.  Each  squad  had 
a  mess  chest  which  was  conveyed  for  us  in  the  express 
car.  At  Mobile  we  were  quartered  in  the  depot.  In 
the  language  used  at  that  time,  we  had  a  "soft  snap". 
Corporal  Heartt,  with  our  squad,  went  to  the  regiment 
to  draw  rations  on  one  of  our  lay  off  days  at  Meridian. 
As  we  went  to  the  Quartermaster's  tent  we  noticed  a 
detail  of  men  standing  guard  over  a  pile  of  meat  that 
was  placed  upon  the  ground  a  short  distance  from  his 
"grub  shack".  This  seemed  to  us  out  of  the  ordinary, 
the  reason  for  which  we  were  to  understand  later.  Af 
ter  all  the  rations  but  the  meat  had  been  issued  to  us, 
Dick  said,  "Come,  boys,  and  get  your  meat."  He  led 
the  way  to  the  before  mentioned  meat  pile,  and  told  the 
Corporal  to  help  himself ;  then  we  understood  the  na 
ture  of  the  guard.  It  was  not  to  keep  any  one  from  tak 
ing  it  away,  but  to  keep  the  meat  from  taking  itself 


away.  To  say  it  was  alive  hardly  expresses  it.  The 
picking  up  of  a  side  of  meat  or  a  shoulder  on  the 
guard's  bayonet  and  tossing  it  back  upon  the  pile,  or 
gently  heading  off  some  adventurous  piece  that  had 
started  out  to  see  the  world,  were  the  orders  of  the 
guard.  The  scene  was  an  interesting  one  from  an  amus 
ing  standpoint;  but  from  that  of  Hunger  it  was  a  ser 
ious  one.  It  was  that  or  nothing.  The  Corporal,  be 
ing  a  tender  hearted  kind  of  a  Heartt,  declined  Dick's 
invitation.  He  could  not  bring  himself  up  to  the 
thought  of  separating  such  happy  families.  He  thought 
of  the  friends  and  sweetheart  in  the  northland,  of  the 
parting  when  he  donned  the  blue  to  help  maintain  the 
nation,  and  refused  to  relieve  the  Quartermaster  of  any 
part  of  his  interesting  responsibility. 

The  question  among  the  squad  as  they  returned  to 
quarters  was  the  "meat  supply".  Lieut.  Durant  had 
been  furnishing  soft  bread  and  wheat  flour  for  gravy  to 
the  boys.  Meat  they  must  have,  or  no  gravy,  for  their 
bread  would  be  forthcoming.  Extremity  stimulates 
thought  as  well  as  invention.  We  were  due  to  leave  for 
Mobile  that  afternoon  at  4  o'clock.  On  our  last  trip  to 
the  city  we  had  conveyed  several  carloads  of  native  cured 
hams  and  shoulders,  as  well  as  several  flat  cars  loaded 
with  ammunition.  The  ammunition  was  only  protect 
ed  from  the  sparks  from  the  wood  burning  engines 
by  canvas  stretched  over  it.  We  remembered  our  ef 
forts  to  keep  the  canvas  from  catching  fire  and  inciden 
tally  remembered  the  hams.  That  sweet-scented  meat 
was  too  strong  upon  us,  even  at  that  distance,  to  not 
give  to  it  more  than  a  passing  thought  as  to  supply  and 
demand.  On  the  way  to  the  city  a  scheme  was  worked 
up  to  obtain  some  of  that  meat  for  immediate  use.  No 
harm  could  possibly  come  of  taking  some  of  it  if  it 
could  be  found,  providing  always  that  we  did  not  get 
caught  in  the  act.  The  converting  of  ham  into  soldier 
could  be  no  harm,  as  soldier  was  worth  more  than  ham. 
The  ham  might  spoil  if  not  used— the  soldier  could  not 
spoil— and  ham  in  this  instance  was  the  thing  most  need 
ed  to  make  the  soldier.  The  Government  owned  both  ; 
the  Government  would  be  the  gainer.  We  were  there 
to  protect  the  interests  of  the  Government,  and  as  true 
soldiers  we  would  surely  do  it  if  the  opportunity  afford 
ed  itself.  On  arriving  at  the  city  the  squad  resolved 
itself  into  a  committee  to  interview  the  different  Gov 
ernment  depositories  and  find  that  meat.  It  was  found, 
securely  guarded  by  a  detail  from  the  12th  Illinois  In 
fantry,  in  a  cotton  warehouse  about  one-half  mile  from 
the  depot.  The  warehouse  was  made  of  brick,  with  an 
open  court  through  the  center,  the  roof  covered  with 
slate;  the  windows  were  narrow  and  protected  by  iron 
bars.  No  glass  was  in  them.  Corporal  Heartt,  Avith 
a  mental  requisition,  and  I  with  my  cheek,  started  out 
late  in  the  evening  to  investigate.  It  would  not  do  for 
him  to  get  caught— he  might  lose  his  stripes;  I  had  no 
fear  of  stripes,  as  I  had  had  them  before.  Heartt  was 
to  stay  outside  and  wait  for  the  signal,  and  I  was  to  get 
inside.  The  Sergeant  of  the  Guard  happened  to  be  a 
companionable  fellow ;  I  had  an  old  friend  in  his  com- 


256 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


ROBERT  TRAVIS. 
Corporal  "D"  Company. 


JAMES  W.  BATEMAN. 
Drummer  "D"  Company. 


CHARLES  W.  PRATT. 

1st  Sergeant  "E"  Company. 

Color  Sergeant. 


JAMES  H.  WATSON. 
Sergeant  "E"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


257 


pany.  This,  with  my  pass,  paved  the  way  to  an  en 
trance.  We  went  inside  to  take  a  drink;  he  went  out 
alone.  I  sampled  the  hams,  which  were  arranged  in 
great  piles  along  the  sides  of  the  building,  gave  the  sig 
nal,  passed  out  through  the  baissuch  hams  as  I  thought 
Heartt  and  I  could  carry  away,  then  went  out  and 
talked  with  the  Sergeant  a  few  minutes.  It  being  now 
dark,  I  joined  Heartt,  and  the  meat  was  safely  carried 
to  the  depot.  The  supply  of  flour,  gravy,  soft  bread 
and  ham  thus  assured,  we  were  happy  in  our  knowledge 
of  well  doing. 

On  one  of  our  trips  from  Meridian  we  had  as  passen 
gers  several  carloads  of  Johnston's  men  on  their  way  to 
Texas  and  Louisiana.  Of  course  they  were  supposed 
not  to  be  armed.  We  had  mingled  freely  with  them, 
and,  in  the  course  of  conversation,  they  had  expressed 
themselves  as  tired  of  war  and  glad  that  it  was  over. 
They  were  a  jolly  lot  of  boys,  enjoying  the  full  feed  of 
rations  that  the  Government  had  given  them ;  also  the 
kind  treatment  that  they  received  was  often  spoken 
of  in  words  of  praise.  They  had  not  expected  such 
kindness  to  be  shown  them,  and  we,  as  representatives  of 
the  Government  they  had  fought  so  long  to  destroy,  were 
the  recipients  of  their  expressed  gratitude.  I  had  seat 
ed  myself  in  the  first  seat  on  the  righthand  side  of  the 
car  at  the  forward  end.  My  belt,  with  my  cartridge 
box,  was  around  we;  my  gun,  which  was  loaded,  I  held 
in  my  hands,  the  butt  resting  on  the  floor.  It  was  get 
ting  well  along  into  the  night;  most  of  the  men  were 
trying  to  sleep,  being  lulled  to  their  slumbers  by  the 
rain  which  was  gently  falling  against  the  sides  of 
the  car.  Probably  many  were  thinking  of  the  hap 
py  meeting  with  friends  that  was  soon  to  be.  No  more 
war  alarms,  no  more  suffering;  all  was  peace;  they  had 
done  what  they  deemed  their  duty ;  they  had  failed  and 
were  going  to  what  they  called  home,  to  help  rebuild 
the  destroyed  country  and  make  their  states  once  more 
prosperous,  as  before  the  conflict.  Some  of  them,  no 
doubt,  upon  whom  the  heavy  hand  of  war  had  rested 
none  too  lightly,  were  thinking  of  comrades  who  went 
with  them  to  the  war,  now  dead ;  their  graves  scattered 
from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Potomac,  no  headstone  to 
mark  their  last  resting  place.  Soon  the  hand  of  time 
would  level  the  little  mound  over  them,  and  they,  once 
so  full  of  life,  would  have  passed  into  oblivion.  As 
they  thought  of  families  now  dead  or  scattered  almost 
beyond  rescue,  of  property  destroyed,  social  conditions 
completely  revolutionized— it  seemed  to  them  that  all 
was  lost.  Country,  home,  friends— all  lost  but  honor. 
Where  to  go  or  what  to  do  was  to  them  the  unsolved 
problem.  These  bitter  reminders  of  vanished  hopes  had 
soured  their  minds  against  all  friendly  advances  and 
had  made  them  moody,  melancholy  wrecks  on  the 
shores  of  war's  desolation.  It  was  from  the  latter  class, 
if  any,  that  trouble  for  the  Government  would  arise. 


The  unusual  quietness  of  the  scene  had  its  effect  upon 
me,  and  I,  too,  dozed  and  dreamed  of  scenes  in  the 
far-away  Northland.  A  disturbance  on  the  platform  of 
the  car  nearest  me  partially  aroused  me.  I  sprang  to 
my  feet  in  the  alley-way  of  the  car  just  as  several  John 
nies  rushed  past  me  from  the  platform,  yelling,  "Fight ! 
The  guards  are  killing  the  boys!"  If  hell  had  broken 
loose  arid  the  legions  of  the  damned  were  given  a  free 
hand  on  mischief  bent,  there  could  have  been  no  more 
excitement  in  their  path  than  was  in  that  car  at  that 
time.  The  Johnnies  were  standing  up  with  revolvers 
and  knives  in  their  hands,  ready  for  the  fray.  Those 
nearest  me  had  moved  back  a  few  steps ;  they  were  get 
ting  ready  for  a  rush  to  the  platform.  All  that  was  be 
tween  them  and  it  was  Corporal  Heartt  and  myself, 
standing  shoulder  to  shoulder  in  the  alley-way  of  the 
car,  with  guns  cocked  and  aimed,  waiting  for  the  ad 
vance  to  commence  the  attack.  The  looks  of  rage  and 
ferocity  that  I  saw  as  I  loooked  along  my  rifle  barrel, 
remained  with  me  as  a  nightmare  for  a  long  time. 
Just  then  Lieut.  Durant— a  man  (by  the  way)  always 
cool,  whose  nerve  never  deserted  him,  came  through 
the  doorway  of  the  car  with  his  sword  drawn.  He 
dashed  in  front  of  us,  struck  down  our  guns  with  his1 
sword,  faced  the  mob,  and  demanded  what  was  the 
matter.  He  was  a  man  of  commanding  presence,  with 
dark  piercing  eyes  which  spoke,  in  language  more  force 
ful  than  that  of  the  tongue.  It  was  two  men  against 
a  carload.  The  reinforcement  was  most  timely ;  they 
could  have  filled  us  so  full  of  holes  we  would  have  made 
poor  strainers  for  the  rain  that  was  falling  outside. 
Probably  a  wholesome  fear  of  the  Knfields  in  the  hands 
of  two  sturdy  "bluecoats"  deterred  them  from  the  at 
tack  until  the  opportune  arrival  of  the  Lieutenant. 
They  knew  that  in  their  crowded  condition,  if  we  fired, 
it  meant  several  killed  or  wounded  men.  Not  a  word 
had  been  said  by  us  up  to  the  time  of  the  Lieutenant's 
arrival  upon  the  scene.  Giddings  of  H  Company  came 
into  the  car  shortly  after  the  Lieutenant  and  said  that 
a  Johnny  had  said  "he  was  glad  Lincoln  was  killed 
and  wished  Johnson  would  be  served  the  same  way." 
The  Johnny  said  he  did  not  say  so.  Giddings  started 
to  talk  again  ;  the  Lieutenant  stopped  him  and  asked 
the  Johnny,  whose  face  was  all  bloody,  what  was  the 
trouble.  It  seemed  that  the  Johnny  had  said  he  wished 
it  had  been  Johnson  that  was  killed  instead  of  Lincoln. 
Giddings  had  misunderstood  him,  attacked  and  nearly 
knocked  him  off  the  car.  Explanations  were  made ; 
Giddings  was  sorry  he  struck  him.  The  men  resumed 
their  seats  after  a  number  had  shaken  the  Lieutenant 
by  the  hand  to  empbasi/e  their  appreciation  of  the 
brave  man.  We  resumed  our  seats  and  the  beating  of 
the  rain  against  the  car  lulled  us  into  quiet  again.  We 
liked  the  Johnnies  the  better  for  their  pluck,  and  they 
duly  appreciated  the  stand  made  by  the  two  guards. 


258 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


HENRY  L.  FOSTER. 
Corporal  "E"  Company. 


JAMES  L.   DAYTON. 
Corporal  "E"  Company. 


CHARLES  D.  MORRIS,  1864. 
Corporal  "E"  Company. 


CHARLES  D.  MORRIS,  1902. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


259 


THE  RAILROAD  ACCIDENT 

Near  Young's  Plantation,  three  miles  west  of  Boutee  Station,  twenty-one  miles  west  of  Algiers,  La.,  March  2nd,  1865. 


The  regiment  had  been  ordered  to  report  at  New  Or 
leans  for  assignment  in  the  16th  Army  Corps,  to  take 
part  in  an  expedition  against  Mobile,  Ala.  For  nearly 
a  year  the  regiment  had  been  doing  garrison  duty  along 
the  railroad  extending  from  Algiers,  La.,  to  Brashear 
City,  La.  It  was  tiresome  and  monotonous  service,  and 
when  the  order  came  for  our  relief  it  was  hailed  with 
joy.  To  the  veteran  it  meant  that  free  and  easy  life  of 
the  campaign,  its  ever  varying  scenes  and  excitement 
from  changed  conditions;  the  monotonous  bill  of  fare  of 
garrison  life  could  be  changed  at  pleasure.  The  excite 
ment  incident  to  battle  was  still  strong  upon  them.  To 
the  recruits  that  had  joined  the  regiment  at  and  since 
its  re-enlistment  the  change  was  welcomed,  as  the  gar 
rison  life  they  had  been  living  was  not  the  life  they  had 
expected  when  they  enlisted,  but  they  had  borne  it  pa 
tiently,  perfecting  themselves  in  the  manual  of  arms 
and  the  school  of  the  soldier  that  had  thus  far  presented 
itself.  The  accumulations  of  clothing,  trinkets  and 
things  unnecessary  and  cumbersome  to  the  new  life 
were  disposed  of.  The  French  who  inhabit  this  part  of 
the  state  had  been  very  friendly  to  us — a  number  of 
them  had  enlisted  in  the  regiment.  Their  friendly 
words  to  us  at  parting  and  the  "Good-bye"  greetings  to 
our  new  comrades  were  being  said  as  the  cars  arrived 
from  Brashear  City  that  bright  morning  of  March  2nd, 
1865,  to  carry  us  to  New  Orleans  and  our  new  assign 
ment. 

The  greetings  of  the  re-united  companies  who  had 
been  so  long  separated  were  joyous ;  again  they  were  to 
unite  as  a  unit  in  the  work  before  them.  All  the  com 
panies  had  been  picked  up  but  one,  Company  H.  We 
were  nearing  our  destination.  Every  one  seemed  to  be 
enjoying  himself,  when  we  received  the  hardest  blow 
and  suffered  the  greatest  loss  (with  one  exception — 
Vicksburg)  the  regiment  suffered  during  its  over  four 
years  of  service.  Unannounced  and  unlocked  for  we 
were  thrown  from  the  height  of  enjoyment  and  pleasure 
in  a  few  seconds  time  to  the  depths  of  suffering  and 
sorrow.  The  train  was  a  mixed 'one— a  few  passenger 
cars,  the  remainder  were  box,  flat  and  open  stock  cars. 
The  companies  with  their  equipage  had  been  put  in 
these  cars  without  any  regard  to  their  place  in  the  regi 
mental  line,  the  mules  and  headquarters  baggage  at  the 
rear.  Just  why  this  arrangement  was  made  I  cannot 
say.  It  might  have  just  happened  so.  Such  things 
happening  so  often  in  the  army  gave  rise  to  the  thought 
among  the  men  that  mules  and  baggage  were  considered 
of  more  importance  than  a  common  soldier. 


It  was  nearly  noon ;  we  had  just  passed  the  station  of 
Bayou  Des  Allamands  and  picked  up  the  part  of  B 
Company  that  was  stationed  there,  placing  them  in  the 
second  box  car  from  the  engine.  I  should  have  stated 
that  at  the  request  of  the  engineer  the  officer  in  com 
mand  had  detailed  Lieut.  Bush  of  C  Company  to  ride 
on  the  engine  and  in  a  measure  relieve  him  from  this 
increased  responsibility,  the  roadbed  and  equipment 
not  being  in  good  condition.  It  being  about  12  o'clock 
I  seated  myself  in  the  open  car  door  on  the  lefthand 
side  of  the  car  and  began  to  eat  my  dinner.  It  con 
sisted  of  crackers  and  water ;  the  crackers  being  of  good 
quality,  it  required  but  little  time  to  eat  them.  I  had 
nearly  completed  the  undertaking  when  the  engineer 
gave  two  or  three  sharp  whistles.  I  knew  that  we  were 
not  at  Boutee  Station,  as  I  was  familiar  with  the  coun 
try,  having  been  stationed  there  a  short  time  a  few 
months  before.  On  looking  out  ahead  I  saw  a  horse 
running  along  the  track  just  at  the  side  of  the  pilot  of 
the  engine— saw  it  attempt  to  cross  in  front  of  the  en 
gine—then  came  the  crash. 

It  was  said  that  we  were  running  about  ten  miles  an 
hour — not  fast  enough  to  throw  the  horse  out  of  the 
way.  There  was  a  road  crossing  at  the  place  of  the  ac 
cident.  A  man  was  attempting  to  drive  the  horse 
across  ahead  of  the  cars.  It  was  but  a  few  rods  from 
the  crossing  to  the  plantation  houses  of  a  Mr.  Young. 
The  land  along  the  track  was  low ;  the  ditches  on  each 
side  were  quite  wide  and  contained  a  quantity  of  water. 
The  engine  and  first  car  passed  over  the  horse ;  the  sec 
ond  jumped  the  track,  ran  along  on  the  ties  two  or 
three  rods,  broke  loose  from  the  car  ahead,  tipped  about 
half  way  over  and  stopped.  I  still  hung  to  my  seat,  my 
head  and  feet  sticking  out  the  door.  Two  or  three  cars 
went  with  the  one  I  was  in  ;  several  more  turned  to  the 
left,  ran  into  a  ditch  and  piled  themselves  together 
nearly  in  front  of  where  I  was  stationed,  hanging  on 
for  dear  life.  The  men,  some  twenty-five  or  more,  with 
their  baggage,  were  thrown  together  in  the  angle  of  the 
car ;  they  were  struggling  to  get  out.  Their  only  place 
of  egress  was  my  seat  of  observation.  The  cars  that  ran 
into  a  ditch  and  piled  up  into  a  pile  were  filled  with 
men  and  company  stores. 

This  terrible  scene  of  wrecked  cars  and  suffering  hu 
manity  remains  vivid  in  my  mind  to-day.  The  cars 
came  crashing  along,  pushed  to  their  doom  by  the  ones 
in  the  rear.  As  they  reached  the  obstruction  each  one 
seemed  to  rise  up  in  front,  roll  or  slide  with  its  load  of 
humanity  and  camp  equipage  to  its  place  in  the  pyra- 


200 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


JAMES  C.  BROOKBANK. 
Corporal  "E"  Company. 


JAMES   N.  BUTLER. 

"E"  Company. 

Lieutenant  U.  S.  C.  I. 

Writer  of  "E"  Company  Sketch. 


HARTAS  DICKINSON. 
Corporal  "F"  Company. 


MATTHEW  M.  BROOKE,  l'J02. 
1st  Sergeant  "G"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


261 


mid,  to  be  in  turn  run  upon  and  mashed  out  of  all  re 
semblance  to  what  it  had  once  been.  Heads,  arms 
and  bodies  of  the  men  could  be  seen  protruding  from 
the  horrible  pile,  the  cars  in  some  instances  not  break 
ing  flat,  but  leaving  a  space  from  which  the  men  were 
struggling  for  exit.  The  crashing  of  the  cars,  mingled 
with  the  cries  of  the  wounded  and  calls  for  help  of  the 
imprisoned  men,  made  a  scene  terrible  to  look  at,  and 
impossible  to  fully  describe.  Men  were  riding  on  top 
of  the  cars  also.  I  think  many  of  the  cars  in  this  pile 
were  open  stock  cars  with  a  runway  on  top.  The 
broken  pieces  of  cars  were  flying  through  the  air,  hum 
ming  like  stray  bullets  hunting  for  a  victim.  Many  of 
the  men  were  seriously  wounded  by  flying  pieces. 

On  top  of  the  next  to  the  last  car  that  rode  up  to  this 
pyramid  of  broken  iron,  wood  and  crushed  humanity 
was  a  bald-headed  man  on  his  knees;  he  had  retained 
his  cap  in  one  of  his  hands;  his  eyes  were  bulging  from 
their  sockets  with  fear;  the  car  rode  up  to  the  top, 
tipped  over  and  hung  suspended.  The  man  let  go  his 
hold  on  the  runway,  rolled  end  over  end  to  the  front  of 
the  pile  without  losing  his  cap  from  his  hand,  picked 
himself  up  and  ran  away  yelling  like  an  Indian.  This 
scene  was  so  laughable  that  I  had  to  let  go,  or  some  one 
pulled  me  loose,  and  I  fell  among  the  tramping,  yelling 
men  inside  the  car.  When  I  got  out  of  the  car  I  found 
one  of  my  hands  badly  jammed,  but  in  the  excitement 
incident  to  the  situation  it  was  not  noticed. 

All  those  who  were  able  soon  commenced  the  work  of 
relieving  the  suffering.  Under  the  command  of  Col. 
Elliott  the  men  moved  like  well-regulated  machines. 
Ropes  were  procured  and  the  cars  were  pulled  apart  and 
held  in  place  until  men  could  gather  up  the  dead  and 
wounded.  Several  of  the  boys  were  thrown  into  ditch 
es  and  held  down  by  the  cars  until  drowned.  We  could 
hear  their  cries  but  could  not  get  at  them  until  too  late 
to  save  them.  One,  a  member  of  A  Company,  a  nephew 
of  Capt.  Button,  who  had  been  with  us  but  a  short 
time,  thus  gave  up  his  life.  How  different  the  ending 
from  what  his  imagination  had  pictured  it !  He  was 
drowned  like  a  rat  in  a  trap,  even  without  having  seen 
an  armed  rebel.  After  the  body  of  the  poor  boy  had 
been  removed  from  the  ditch,  the  scene  of  Capt.  Button 
standing  over  him,  the  tears  running  down  his  face  as 
efforts  were  being  made  by  the  comrades  to  bring  back 
the  young  life  that  had  been  snuffed  out  so  quickly, 
and  the  earnest  appeals  of  the  Captain  to  work  faster, 
will  remain  with  me  as  long  as  life  lasts. 

A  poor  fellow  on  one  of  the  cars  just  behind  the  car  I 
was  in  was  caught  between  the  car  roof  arid  the  bank  of 
the  ditch  by  the  legs  at  about  the  thighs,  and  both  of 
them  were  broken.  We  could  not  lift  the  car  up  or  pull 
him  out.  He  said,  as  coolly  as  if  he  had  been  ordering 
his  dinner,  "Big  a  little  here— perhaps  I  can  work  my 
self  into  the  place  and  then  you  can  help  me."  One 
man,  feeling  a  stinging  sensation  at  the  top  of  his 
head,  put  up  his  hand  and  found  his  scalp  torn  from 
his  head  ;  it  was  hanging  to  the  back  of  his  neck.  This 
was  no  doubt  done  by  a  piece  of  board  flying  through 


the  air.  The  scalp  was  replaced  and  he  went  in  search 
of  Br.  Rex.  Sergt.  Wills  of  A  Company  was  lying 
asleep  in  the  car.  Poor  fellow  !  when  found  only  his 
necktie  served  to  identify  him.  He  was  smashed  to  the 
thickness  of  a  man's  hand.  He  was  a  brave,  true  sol 
dier;  he  had  carried  his  country's  flag  and  waved  it  in 
the  faces  of  the  enemy  on  many  a  bloody  field.  To  thus 
die  was  terrible.  I  saw  three  men  removed  from  under 
the  car.  They  had  been  caught  by  the  head  like  mice 
in  a  trap.  Some  of  the  men  declared  they  jumped  over 
the  telegraph  wire.  Not  the  jumping,  but  the  lighting, 
hurt  them,  as  their  broken  or  bruised  limbs  testified  to. 
Sergt.  Brown  of  B  Co.  was  found  lying  on  his  back 
across  a  railroad  rail  within  a  very  short  distance  of  the 
car  wheel.  A  second's  more  advance  and  one  more 
would  have  been  added  to  the  list  of  killed.  When 
found  he  was  unconscious.  He  had  been  thrown  from 
the  top  of  the  car.  Many  were  the  miraculous  escapes 
shown  when  that  pyramid  was  taken  apart.  The  parts 
of  the  cars  had  been  thrown  in  such  a  way  as  to  sustain 
the  weight,  providing  places  of  comparative  safety  for 
the  imprisoned  men. 

The  wounded  and  killed  were  removed  as  fast  as  re 
covered  to  the  nearby  farm  house.  There  was  a  veranda 
on  three  sides  of  the  house.  On  this  and  under  the 
trees  the  dead  and  wounded  were  placed.  Br.  Rex 
asked  permission  of  the  occupants  of  the  house  to  use 
these  and  some  tables.  The  request  was  refused.  As  a 
result  of  the  refusal,  the  piano  served  as  an  operating 
table  and  the  Brussels  carpet  deadened  the  sound  of  the 
feet  of  the  operators  as  they  moved  among  the  furniture 
in  the  parlor.  I  fanned  a  poor  fellow  with  my  hat  to 
keep  away  the  flies  that  swarmed  around  him  as  he  lay 
on  the  veranda  near  the  parlor  door.  He  was  so  badly 
injured  that  they  let  him  wait  that  they  might  give  at 
tention  to  those  that  there  was  some  chance  of  saving. 
Poor  fellow  !  both  of  his  arms  and  legs  were  broken,  the 
bones  protruding  through  the  flesh.  A  wound  on  his 
head  had  destroyed  one  of  bis  eyes  also;  his  groans  and 
appeals  for  aid  were  pitiful  to  hear.  He  had  stormed 
the  heights  of  Vicksburg  unscratched ;  had  volunteered 
to  carry  water  to  his  wounded  comrades  between  the 
lines  where  they  lay  after  the  terrible  '22nd  of  May. 
Oh,  such  a  death  in  such  a  place!  Another  poor  fellow 
lying  under  a  tree  with  his  back  broken,  paraly/ed  from 
his  hips  down — poor  boy  !  His  cries  of  anguish  as  we 
carried  him  to  the  relief  train  rang  in  my  ears  for  a 
long  time. 

Many  were  the  close  escapes.  One  man  of  B  Com 
pany  had  drank  enough  brandy  peaches  to  make  him 
sleepy.  He  lay  down  at  the  end  of  the  car.  When  the 
crash  came  a  mess  box  that  was  one  side  of  him,  a 
banjo  on  the  other  side,  were  broken  into  kindling 
wood.  Two  men,  one  seated  on  each  side  of  him,  were 
wounded  ;  it  aroused  him  enough  for  him  to  inquire 
why  they  could  not  let  him  alone  when  he  was  tired. 
He  was  not  injured.  The  passenger  cars  and  those  con 
taining  the  mules  and  baggage  did  not  leave  the  track. 

Over  eighty  of  the  regiment  were  killed  or  seriously 


262 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


JOSEPH  E.  KENDRICK,  1902. 

Sergeant  "G"  Company. 
Promoted  for  gallantry  22  May,  1863. 


ROBERT  BARKLEY.        JEREMIAH  E.  WALDON. 

"G"  Co.  Sergeant  "G"  Co. 

Killed  Mar.  2,  1865. 


WILLIAM  C.  ARNOLD. 

"G"  Company. 
Writer  of  "G"  Company  Sketch. 


ARNOLD    CLAFL1N. 
"G"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


263 


wounded.  John  M.  Porter  of  B  Company  reported  at 
sick  call  the  next  morning  that  he  did  not  feel  well. 
He  died  in  a  few  days.  Many  of  the  wounded  never 
reported  to  the  surgeon  just  how  badly  the  regiment 
was  used  up.  It  was  impossible  to  tell.  They  were  re 
ported  unfit  for  duty  for  two  weeks.  The  losses  were 
about  equally  divided  among  veterans  and  recruits.  To 
the  recruits  it  was  a  severe  introduction  into  active  ser 
vice—a  little  too  active— somewhat  different  from  what 
they  had  imagined.  They  expected  bullets  and  shells 
to  be  thrown  at  them,  but  did  not  expect  horses  to  be 
used  as  a  weapon  of  warfare  in  that  way.  Later,  in 
talking  over  the  affair,  the  veterans  acknowledged  it 
was  quite  a  shake-up,  but  it  really  did  not  compare 
favorably  with  the  marches  the  regiment  took  in  Mis 
souri  in  1862,  when  they  went  up  a  hill  for  no  other 
reason  visible  to  the  rank  and  file  than  to  have  a  chance 
to  go  down  it  if  possible  at  some  steeper  place  than 
where  they  ascended  it.  All  the  object  gained  it 
seemed  to  them  was  the  wearing  out  of  a  lot  of  misfit 
shoes  the  Government  happened  to  have  on  hand  and 
could  dispose  of  in  no  other  way.  Both  of  these  inci 


dents  were  very  trying  to  the  nerve  centers  and  about 
as  hard  on  the  physical  condition  of  the  regiment. 

The  injured  men  were  placed  aboard  the  relief  train 
that  had  been  sent  from  Algiers  We  gathered  up  the 
serviceable  part  of  our  equipments,  got  aboard  the  cars 
and  reached  our  destination  about  dark.  However,  be 
fore  leaving  the  scene  of  the  wreck  we  hunted  for  the 
man  that  was  driving  the  horses.  It  was  well  for  him 
that  he  could  not  be  found,  for  the  boys  in  their  anger 
would  have  placed  him  where  he  never  would  have 
driven  horses  again,  unless  he  had  obtained  the  position 
of  coachman  to  his  Satanic  Majesty.  The  wounded 
were  taken  to  the  hospital;  the  remainder  of  the  regi 
ment  went  across  the  river  to  New  Orleans  and  spread 
their  blankets  on  the  brick  paved  floor  of  a  cotton  ware 
house.  The  worn  side  of  a  brick,  even  if  padded  with 
one  thickness  of  a  blanket,  did  not  make  the  most 
comfortable  place  on  which  to  lay  bruised  and  tired 
bodies. 

Thus  ended  in  sorrow  the  day  so  pleasantly  begun  — 
another  day  in  the  calendar  to  be  remembered  by  the 
regiment. 


AN  INCIDENT  OF  THE  RAILROAD  WRECK,  MARCH  2nd,  J865. 


A  Sergeant  of  D  Company  who  had  charge  of  the 
"company  remnants"  was  actively  engaged  with  his 
detail  when  he  was  approached  by  Tim  Regan.  Tim's 
face  and  the  front  part  of  his  body  were  well  plastered 
with  mud.  He  presented  a  grotesque  appearance.  Tim 
was  peculiar,  yet  with  all  his  pecularities,  he  was  a  fa 
vorite.  D  Company  boys  had  tried  many  times  to  get 
him  to  have  some  photographs  taken  to  exchange  with 
them.  No  persuasion  could  induce  Tim  to  face  the  pic 
ture  box.  He  had  never  flinched  in  facing  an  enemy; 
he  had  often  faced  the  sutler  for  a  stand-off  until  pay 
day ;  he  could  outface  the  Quartermaster's  clerk  if  there 
was  any  commissary  to  be  had,  but  the  camera  was  one 
thing  he  would  not  face.  The  Sergeant  referred  to  had 


asked  him  for  a  photograph.  As  Tim  approached  him 
with  outstretched  hand  beckoning  for  silence,  he  said : 
"Whist,  whist,  there,  is  it  a  fortygraf  yese  want?  Sure, 
over  beyant  in  the  ditch  yese  will  find  wan  ;  it's  been 
took,  and  the  full  length  of  me  it  is,  sir,  sure. "  On  in 
vestigating  it  was  found  that  Tim  had  been  thrown 
full  length  into  the  ditch,  face  downward.  The  mud 
was  just  soft  enough  to  leave  a  good  impression  of  Tim's 
face  and  form.  Open  eyes  and  mouth  were  well  taken. 
It  is  not  recorded  that  the  Sergeant  preserved  the  nega 
tive  for  future  use,  but  it  is  safe  to  say  that  that 
photographic  impression  of  Tim  Regan  in  Louisi 
ana  mud  was  the  only  one  taken  of  him  during  the 
service. 


SERGEANT  KENDALL  OF  "K"  COMPANY. 


One  of  the  picket  posts  in  the  lines  around  Brashear 
City  in  1864  was  old  "Fort  Buchanan",  built  before  the 
war  and  located  at  the  connection  of  the  lake  with  Ber 
wick  Bay.  What  the  ff.rt  was  designed  to  protect  was 
hard  to  determine,  unless  it  was  being  constructed 
and  then  abandoned  when  useless  to  its  constructors.  It 
was  designed  to  commemorate  its  namesake,  President 
Buchanan.  Near  the  picket  post  had  been  at  one  time 
a  saw  mill  whose  motive  power  was  steam.  All  that 
remained  of  this  enterprise  was  the  ditch  dug  from  the 
lake  to  the  mill  to  accommodate  the  logs  to  be  converted 


into  lumber,  a  few  pieces  of  timber,  and  the  boiler  for 
the  use  of  the  engine.  The  mill  site  being  slightly 
higher  than  the  surrounding  land,  it  was  used  by  the 
boys  as  a  sleeping  place.  This  was  necessary  in  order 
to  obtain  a  place  that  was  not  at  times  covered  by 
water.  The  Government  in  its  kindness,  to  alleviate 
our  sufferings,  had  provided  each  man  with  a  mosquito 
bar  covering,  made  in  box  form.  They  were  about  6 
feet  long,  18  inches  wide  and  high.  This  was  fastened 
at  the  corners  to  four  stakes.  Under  this  the  soldier 
spread  his  blankets  and  defied  the  assaults  of  the  Galle- 


264 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


WILLIAM  QUINCY  MAHAN,  1903. 
"G"  Company. 


THOMAS  BARRER. 
1st  Sergeant  "H"  Company. 


GEORGE  S.  JACKS. 
Sergeant  "H"  Company. 


JOSEPH  E.  SPENCER. 
Sergeant  "H"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


265 


nippers,  those  vampires  that  can  give  their  Jersey  rela 
tives  any  advantage  demanded  and  beat  them  at  the 
game  of  bill  absorption.  The  alligators  were  numerous; 
they  were  an  interesting  feature  in  the  list  of  attractions. 
The  deep  bass  of  their  voices  kept  time  to  the  high- 
keyed  notes  of  the  mosquitos,  the  two  blending  together 
in  music  most  demoniac. 

I  was  detailed  to  this  place  to  do  picket  duty.  My 
trick  on  guard  did  not  arrive  until  1:2  o'clock  at  night. 
I  had  staked  my  mosquito  bar  on  the  bank  of  the  ditch, 
crawled  into  it,  and  was  soon  oblivious  to  the  assaults 
of  the  enemy.  A  male  alligator  on  mischief  bent  had 
crawled  close  up  to  my  sleeping  place.  He  in  his  ex 
cess  of  joy  at  his  prospective  good  fortune,  gave  tongue 
to  a  loud  bellow.  At  the  same  time  a  mouse  that  had 
chanced  to  creep  under  my  blankets  for  warmth  ran 
across  my  face.  The  two  combined  awakened  me  from 
my  slumber.  When  thoroughly  aroused  I  was  standing 
on  my  feet  pulling  the  mosquito  bar  from  my  head  and 
trembling  as  though  in  an  ague  fit.  I  had  no  further 
desire  to  sleep.  I  hunted  up  the  Sergeant  in  charge  of 
the  post,  Kendall  of  K  Co.,  to  listen  to  some  of  his 
yarns.  Kendall,  having  served  in  the  Mexican  war, 
being  a  veteran  with  three  years  service  to  his  credit  in 
the  regiment,  was  well  equipped  by  nature  and  service 
to  relate  incidents  that  had  come  to  his  notice.  He  was 
not  particularly  noted  for  the  truthfulness  of  the  inci 
dents  he  related. 

When  I  came  to  the  post  in  the  morning  I  had  no 
ticed  the  absence  of  the  steam  boiler  before  mentioned. 
As  I  sat  there  in  the  smudge  Kendall  had  made  for  his 
comfort,  I  casually  remarked  on  the  absence  of  the 
boiler;  he  said,  yes,  it  was  gone— it  left  when  he  was 
there  before— and  proceeded  to  explain  its  absence.  He 
had  come  on  picket  that  day  without  his  mosquito  bar. 
When  the  time  came  for  him  to  get  some  sleep  he  was 


in  a  quandary  what  to  do;  but  being  a  man  who  always 
overcame  obstacles  of  such  a  trifling  nature,  he  resolved 
to  utilize  the  boiler  as  a  resting  place.  It  was  raining. 
He  crawled  inside  and  fastened  up  his  blanket  at  the 
end  to  keep  out  the  rain  and  mosquitos.  The  patter  of 
the  rain  outside  and  the  hum  of  his  discomfited  assail 
ants  soon  lulled  him  to  sleep.  The  moving  of  the  boiler 
awakened  him.  Reaching  for  his  haversack  he  ob 
tained  a  piece  of  candle,  which  he  lighted,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  investigate  the  commotion.  Accidentally 
placing  his  hand  against  the  side  of  the  boiler,  he  re 
ceived  a  pricking  sensation.  This  he  found  came  from 
the  bills  of  the  mosquitos  that  had  been  thrust  through 
his  steel  covering  in  their  efforts  to  reach  him.  Ken 
dall  in  his  life  before  the  war  had  worked  in  a  machine 
shop.  He  could  clinch  a  rivet  equal  to  any  man.  Tak 
ing  his  bayonet  he  began  to  batter  down  the  bills  thus- 
presented  to  him,  which  he  was  unable  to  liquidate  in 
any  other  manner.  He  being  an  honest  man,  could  al 
low  no  bills  to  be  presented  to  him  without  making 
some  effort  to  meet  them.  Each  one  as  presented  was 
duly  settled.  The  candle  being  about  burned  out  and 
the  movements  of  the  boiler  resembling  that  made  by 
the  steamer  "Clinton"  in  her  efforts  to  land  the  regi 
ment  in  Texas,  Kendall  gathered  up  his  belongings  and 
hurried  out  of  the  boiler.  Being  relieved  of  his  weight, 
the  boiler  arose  in  the  air  and  was  carried  out  over  the 
lake  by  the  unwilling  captives.  Kendall  seemed  much 
impressed  with  the  "Dead  March"  as  played  by  the 
mosquitos,  and  said  that  demons  from  the  Devil's 
own  body  guard  *on  harp  strings  tempered  in  the 
fires  of  the  damned  could  not  have  furnished  music 
more  hellish  in  tone  or  discord  than  that  wafted  back 
to  him  by  the  doomed  burden  bearers  as  they  direct 
ed  their  course  to  the  shore  of  the  lake  occupied  by  the 
Johnnies. 


THE  TRIP  HOME  FROM  CAIRO,  ILL. 


Before  the  regiment  started  for  home  in  1865,  the 
weather  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  had  been  warm  and  pleas 
ant.  We  were  illy  prepared  for  the  cool  reception  we  re 
ceived  at  Cairo,  111.,  on  our  landing  from  the  steam 
boat  that  cold,  stormy  night.  Very  few  of  the  boys  had 
overcoats.  They  had  no  extra  clothing  to  protect  them 
from  the  cold  wind  that  swept  the  levee  at  the  landing. 
There  was  no  shelter  of  any  kind  for  us.  The  ground 
was  frozen.  Snow  was  falling.  There  was  nothing 
but  exercise  and  a  few  small  fires  to  keep  us  from  free/ 
ing.  When  daylight  came  we  prepared  our  breakfast 
of  coffee  and  crackers,  and  soon  a  train  of  box  cars  was 
backed  down  to  the  landing  for  our  accommodation  on 
our  trip  north  to  home  and  citizenship.  For  seats  the 
cars  had  been  supplied  with  boards  fastened  crossways 
to  the  sides  of  the  car.  There  was  no  chance  for  a  fire, 
no  ventilation  but  the  doors  on  the  sides  of  the  car, 


and  no  chance  to  lie  down.  Like  cattle  we  were  crowd 
ed  into  these  cars  that  we  were  destined  to  occupy  for 
two  days.  If  they  had  been  bedded  with  straw  the 
same  as  cars  are  fitted  for  the  shipment  of  stock,  we 
could  have  spread  our  blankets,  lain  down  and  been 
more  comfortable.  No  unnecessary  stops  were  made. 
Our  comfort  was  not  considered,  unless  the  hurrying  us 
along  to  reach  our  destination  as  soon  as  possible  might 
be  construed  that  way.  I  said  we  had  no  fire -this  is 
wrong.  The  fires  of  indignation  burned  within  us  at 
the  suffering  we  endured.  One  of  the  storms  that 
sometimes  sweep  over  Illinois  in  the  latter  part  of  No 
vember  had  us  in  its  grasp. 

We  arrived  at  Decatur  in  the  early  evening.  Here 
we  were  to  be  transferred  to  another  road,  and  we  ex 
pected  some  provision  would  have  been  made  at  this 
point  for  our  comfort.  If  anything  had  been  prepared  for 


34 


266 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


GEORGE  W.  HAND. 
Corporal  "H"  Company. 


JAMES  B.  DAVEY. 
"H"  Company. 


JAMES  M.  BAY. 
"H"  Company. 


EBBUR  A.  CONVERSE,  1864. 
"11"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


267 


us  we  did  not  find  it.  We  were  tired,  cold  and  hungry. 
Crackers  and  cold  water  might  be  tilling,  but  they  were 
not  very  nourishing  to  travelers  riding  in  open  cars  in 
the  winter  time.  A  citizen  on  the  depot  platform  said, 
"Boys,  welcome  home  to  God's  country."  It  seemed 
to  me  that  God  was  away  from  home  and  the  Devil  was 
running  things  to  suit  himself.  Here  we  had  no  wood 
to  make  a  fire  to  boil  coffee,  no  food  to  eat,  no  money 
to  buy  anything  with— provided  we  could  have  found  it. 
In  our  case  some  one  had  blundered.  We  were  accus 
tomed  to  blunders.  The  Government  was  not  to  blame; 
we  had  been  mustered  out  of  its  service  into  that  of  the 
state.  We  were  one-half  citizens.  The  state  had  for 
gotten  us  and  the  promises  made  to  u^  over  four  years 
before.  This  inhuman  neglect  rankled  in  our  minds 
and  made  us  more  anxious  to  reach  our  homes  to  see  if 
the  people  there  had  forgotten  us.  Happily  for  us  they 
had  not.  It  was  only  those  in  control  at  Springfield 
that  had  turned  the  cold  shoulder  upon  us.  We  were 
among  the  last  soldiers  to  return  home.  They  were  get 
ting  tired.  Our  days  of  usefulness  were  about  over. 

The  citizen  had  said  we  were  in  God's  country.  Now 
God  and  angels  had  been  associated  together  in  my 
early  training;  where  one  was  the  other  seemed  to  be. 
Thus  reasoning  I  resolved  to  try  to  find  a  friendly  an 
gel  to  minister  to  me  in  this  my  extremity.  I  left  the 
cars,  and  by  walking  west  a  few  blocks  came  to  a  thin 
ly  settled  portion  of  the  city.  I  saw  a  light  shining 
through  a  window  in  the  door  of  a  small  house.  I 
could  see  the  light  of  the  fire  in  the  heating  stove. 
Everything  looked  warm  and  comfortable  inside.  To 
me,  a  penniless  tramp,  this  seemed  to  be  heaven. 
Something  seemed  to  say,  "The  angel  is  here."  I  went 
up  to  the  door  and  knocked.  A  woman  opened  it.  I 
told  her  I  belonged  to  the  regiment  of  soldiers  that  was 
at  the  depot— that  I  was  cold  and  hungry,  had  had  lit 
tle  to  eat  for  two  days ;  could  I  come  in  and  get  a  cup 
of  coffee  and  some  bread  to  eat?  I  had  no  money  to 
pay  for  it.  She  said,  "Come  in,"  and  gave  me  a  chair 
by  the  stove  and  immediately  began  preparing  some 
thing  for  me  to  eat.  Again  I  said,  "I  have  no  money 
to  pay  you  for  anything."  She  paid  no  attention  to 
me  and  soon  had  some  supper  ready  and  asked  me  to 
sit  up  to  the  table  and  eat.  Everything  was  clean  and 
nice  at  that  table  and  in  the  room  but  myself.  Sleep 
ing  on  the  deck  of  a  steamboat  for  a  week,  riding  in 
box  cars  amid  smoke  and  cinders  for  two  days,  with 
no  chance  to  wash  one's  hands  and  face— to  say  I  was 
dirty  does  not  express  it.  I  had  not  realized  my  condi 
tion  until  I  sat  down  to  that  table,  which  was  the  first 
time  for  many  long  months  that  such  a  privilege  had  been 
granted  me.  There  was  plenty  of  food  and  I  did  am 
ple  justice  to  it.  While  eating  she  asked  my  regiment 
and  where  we  were  going.  On  arising  from  the  table  I 
thanked  her  heartily  and  started  to  leave  the  house. 
Then  she  told  me  that  her  brother  had  worn  the  blue — 
that  he  was  sleeping  his  last  long  sleep  in  the  South 
land — that  she  had  only  done  by  me  as  she  would  have 
w  ished  some  one  to  have  done  by  him.  I  had  found 


my  "angel".  It  was  God's  country,  and  the  blue  eyes, 
flaxen  hair  and  pleasant  face  of  that  German  girl  are 
pictured  on  my  memory  as  vividly  as  if  the  incident 
had  happened  yesterday.  I  have  been  through  that  city 
many  times  since  then,  and  invariably  I  look  out  of 
the  car  window  to  see  if  I  can  locate  the  house  of  "An 
gel  Bountiful". 

In  the  early  morning  of  the  next  day  the  regiment 
arrived  at  Camp  Butler.  In  the  gray  dawn  it  looked 
more  dreary  than  ever  before.  The  barracks,  the  old, 
dilapidated,  unplastered  sheds  seemed  colder  and  the 
boards  in  the  bottom  of  the  bunks  seemed  harder  than 
when  we  last  slept  on  them.  The  fuzzy  roughness  that 
had  once  covered  them  (which  in  the  absence  of  straw 
had  in  a  manner  softened  their  hardness)  had  all  been 
worn  off.  They  were  smooth  from  the  wear  of  the 
many  thousands  of  boys  that  had  stretched  their  bodies 
on  these  "downy  beds  of  ease".  These  barracks  had 
sheltered  many  an  enthusiastic  boy  that  had  become 
"only  a  memory".  They  had  fallen  by  the  wayside  in 
the  great  events  that  had  transpired  during  the  past 
five  years.  Their  names  on  the  muster  rolls  of  their 
regiments  was  all  that  was  left  of  them. 
"They  were  somebody's  darlings,  you  know; 
Somebody  smiled  with  pride  when  they  marched  away ; 
Somebody's  blessing  was  on  each  fair-haired  brow; 
One  lock  from  its  fair  mates  take ;  lay  it  away  for  some 
body's  sake." 

They  were  soon  forgotten  by  all  but  a  few  intimate 
friends.  They  had  done  their  duty.  The  nation  was 
saved.  They  had  given  their  all,  their  lives,  for  their 
country.  Would  the  country  appreciate  the  sacrifice? 
For  many  years  it  seemed  to  us  that  those  lives  thus 
laid  upon  the  National  Altar  were  but  chaff  thrown  to 
the  winds. 

Our  stay  at  Camp  Butler  was  enlivened  by  the  big 
fire  in  the  Hospital  Barracks.  We,  with  others,  were 
called  to  fight  the  fire.  The  men  were  doing  good  ser 
vice  under  the  command  of  the  officers  of  the  post; 
buildings  in  advance  of  the  fire  were  torn  down,  and 
the  pathway  of  the  fire  stopped.  The  fire  would  again 
break,  out  in  some  building  far  down  the  line.  It  could 
not  have  reached  there  without  human  help.  This  had 
been  observed  by  some  of  the  boys,  thus  showing  that 
the  fire  was  a  plan  to  cover  up  some  one's  shortage  on 
their  medical  and  hospital  supplies  account.  When 
this  became  known  the  boys  for  the  first  time  refused 
to  obey  orders.  Either  they  went  to  their  quarters,  or 
stood  by  to  see  the  fire  and  jeer  at  those  who  still  fought 
it.  No  threats  or  persuasions  could  move  the  boys  to 
action  again.  "They  had  been  there",  and  no  bluff 
could  be  wrung  in  on  them  at  that  stage  of  the  game. 

Perhaps  to  emphasize  that  friendly  feeling  and  care 
that  the  State  Government  had  for  us,  one  bleak,  chilly 
day  just  before  our  discharge,  many  of  the  notables  of  the 
State  came  out  to  camp  to  see  and  talk  to  us.  The  regi 
ment  was  paraded  in  the  form  of  a  hollow  square,  fa 
cing  inward.  Here  for  more  than  an  hour  we  shivered 
in  the  wind,  listening  to  their  laudations  of  the  regi- 


268 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


GEORGE  W.  BROWN. 
1st  Sergeant  "I"  Company. 


ROBERT  B.  COE. 
Sergeant  "1"  Company. 


ISAAC  MEATS,  1865. 
Corporal  "I"  Company. 


SOLOMON  G.  CHANIE,  1861. 
Corporal  "1"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


269 


ment.  That  gave  us  good  advice  for  our  future  guid 
ance.  To  say  that  we  listened  patiently  would  not  be 
telling  the  truth.  If  some  one  had  moved  "they  be 
given  permission  to  print",  it  would  have  been  carried 
with  a  whoop.  We  could  see  that  Col.  Elliott  was  as 
impatient  as  we  were.  At  the  first  opportunity  he  took 
the  colors,  stepped  to  the  front,  talked  to  us  a  few  min 
utes  about  our  past  associations;  then  while  tears  were 
rolling  down  his  cheeks,  he  bade  us  good-by,  and  rais 
ing  the  flag  above  his  uncovered  head,  bade  the  boys 
give  it  their  last  cheer.  Their  hats  went  off,  too,  and 
lustily  the  "Old  Flag"  that  meant  so  much  to  them  was 
given  its  last  salute  by  the  regiment  as  an  organized  body. 
This,  their  last  parade,  will  be  remembered — not  for 
the  addresses  of  the  notable  men,  not  for  that  north 
wind  that  chilled  us  to  the  marrow,  but  for  the  words 
and  bearing  of  our  beloved  Colonel.  He  was  a  true 
leader  of  men.  His  presence  inspired  them  to  deeds  of 
daring.  His  coolness  in  battle  was  their  rock  of  safety. 
They  admired  his  ability.  His  honesty  was  beyond 
question.  He  was  their  military  hero.  Other  Colonels 
we  had  had- good  and  true  men,  all  of  them;  but  none 
of  them  filled  the  place  in  the  affections  of  the  men  like 
Isaac  H.  Elliott.  We  had  good  reasons  to  believe  that 
the  Colonel  fully  reciprocated  the  affections  of  the  men 
— that  his  chief  care  while  in  command  of  the  regiment 
was  their  well  being.  Time  has  not  lessened  in  any 
degree  that  loyalty  of  the  rank  and  file.  In  their  gath 
erings  the  mention  of  "Elliott"  brightens  the  eye  as 
the  tongue  speaks  words  of  loving  remembrance  of  him. 


It  is  said  that  tears  are  unmanly  ;  if  it  is  so,  then 
there  were  many  unmanly  men  among  the  33rd  Illinois 
Infantry  as  they  went  to  quarters.  They  realized  fully 
that  the  parting  time  had  come;  that  the  associations 
formed  through  fire,  sickness  and  privations,  as  well  as 
pleasures,  were  about  to  be  severed,  never  again  to  be 
reunited.  They  had  learned  to  lean  on  each  other  for  a 
support  that  had  never  failed  them.  Now  each  man 
was  soon  to  be  for  himself.  He  was  to  take  up  his 
duties  as  a  citizen  where  he  had  lain  them  off  nearly 
five  years  before.  The  world  had  moved  on— he  had 
been  left  behind  in  the  mighty  rush  for  place.  The 
boy  that  left  the  school  room  for  the  field  of  war  had 
become  a  man.  He  must  assume  the  man's  duties, 
handicapped  by  a  limited  education.  Could  he  main 
tain  his  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  world's  workers? — 
was  a  question  for  him  to  solve.  To  know  how  well  he 
solved  it,  one  must  look  at  the  places  filled  by  them  as 
Judges  of  the  State  Courts,  in  the  Legislatures  of  differ 
ent  states,  in  the  Congress  of  the  nation.  The  office  of 
Governor  of  Illinois  has  been  ably  filled  by  a  private 
from  its  ranks.  Other  positions  of  honor  in  the  "De 
partment  of  State"  in  this,  as  well  as  in  other  states, 
have  been  filled  by  them.  They  have  met  their  duties 
in  every  avenue  of  life,  as  becomes  the  upright  citizen. 
These  men  that  shed  tears  at  the  disbanding  of  the 
regiment  may  have  been  unmanly,  but  by  their  actions 
since  then  they  have  proven  to  the  world  that  they 
were  men  fit  to  be  citizens  of  the  Republic  they  dared 
so  much  to  save. 


"MOTHER  LIPPINCOTT." 


A  brief  mention  of  Mrs.  Lippincott,  the  devoted  wife 
of  Col.  Chas.  E.  Lippincott,  in  the  History  of  the  33rd 
Illinois  Infantry,  is  both  proper  and  commendable,  and 
in  thus  honoring  her  memory  we  but  honor  ourselves 
by  any  words  of  love  or  reverence  we  may  write  about 
that  noble  woman — Mother  Lippincott. 

She  was  born  in  Cass  county.  A  more  romantic  love 
match  was  never  recorded  in  narrative  of  fact  or  fancy. 
She  was  a  girl  in  short  dresses  at  school  when  young 
Lippincott  chanced  to  call  on  some  errand  while  on  his 
way  to  St  Louis  to  study  medicine.  He  caught  sight 
of  her  in  the  yard  and  was  captivated  by  the  bewitch 
ing  girl,  and  lingered  in  the  neighborhood  for  a  day  or 
two.  He  admired  and  she  adored,  and  in  due  course  of 
time  they  were  married  and  he  started  in  life  as  a 
country  practitioner.  His  income  was  small  and  debts 
accumulated  faster  than  his  bank  account,  and  he  be 
came  disgusted  with  the  meager  income,  and  Mrs.  L. 
was  mortified  that  the  bailiff  should  be  coming  to  the 
house  in  search  of  something  to  satisfy  the  creditors. 
So  in  1852  the  Doctor  crossed  the  plains  and  went  to 
California,  hoping  to  amass  a  fortune  and  return  to 
care  for  the  one  woman  he  admired  above  all  others. 


She  remained  at  home,  taught  school,  milked  cows  for 
her  board,  and  saved  her  money  to  pay  his  debts.  This 
deeply  chagrined  him,  and  his  letters  to  her  were 
stormy  ;  but  she  only  laughed  at  him  and  worked  on. 

While  in  California  the  duel  occurred,  and  her  Puritan 
ancestry  was  outraged.  Many  of  her  friends  urged  her 
to  abandon  him,  and  even  offered  to  give  her  a  farm  if 
she  would  cast  him  off.  It  was  urged  that  the  public 
would  look  upon  her  as  a  sort  of  accomplice  after  the 
fact.  She  fled  to  her  husband's  father,  who  was  the 
village  pastor.  He  calmly  told  her  that  she  must  ex 
pect  that  people  would  point  the  finger  of  shame  at  her 
if  she  adhered  to  his  son.  She  was  startled  and  horri 
fied,  and  only  clung  the  closer  to  her  husband,  whom 
she  always  adored.  But  the  ostracism  did  not  come. 
She  was  all  the  more  admired  and  loved,  and  when  she 
taught  the  village  school  again  it  was  full,  and  her 
work  in  the  Sunday-school  was  recognized  by  such 
crowds  that  the  little  meeting  house  would  scarcely  hold 
the  people. 

In  1857  he  returned  and  took  up  the  practice  of  med 
icine  in  the  town  of  Chandlerville.  When  the  war 
came  on  and  he  marched  to  the  South  at  the  head  of  Com- 


270 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  CO  MR  A  DES. 


EDWARD  H.  TWINING,  1900. 

Captain  -'K"  Company. 

Major  U.  S.  A. 


LUTHER  H.  PROSSER,  1896. 

"K"  Company. 

Commissary  Sergeant. 

Writer  of  "K"  Company  Sketch. 


SAMUEL  KYLE,  1865. 
1st  Sergeant  "K"  Company. 


WILLIAM  MURRY,  1900. 

Sergeant  l-K"  Company. 

Adjutant  Illinois  S.  and  S.  Home. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


271 


pany  K,  his  wife  felt  very  proud  of  her  soldier  husband. 
But  Mrs.  L.  was  full  of  anxiety  for  his  success  in  this 
new  roll.  She  remained  at  home  and  toiled  on  with  an 
ever  increasing  interest  in  the  welfare  of  her  husband  and 
Company  K,  and  at  length  of  the  whole  regiment,  and 
then  in  all  Union  soldiers.  She  looked  upon  a  soldier  as 
something  different  from  other  men.  And  thus  she 
was  naturally  fitted  for  a  most  efficient  helpmate  of  her 
husband  when  he  became  Superintendent  of  the  "Sol 
diers'  and  Sailors'  Home". 

At  his  death  she  stood  aghast— husband  and  children 
all  gone!  She  alone  without  a  mission!  How  could 
she  leave  those  old  soldiers?  Her  very  existence  seemed 
to  center  around  them,  and  the  management  of  the 
Home  recognized  her  admirable  fitness  by  appointing 
her  as  Matron  of  the  hospital  at  the  Home.  She  worked 
diligently  for  the  betterment  of  all  she  came  in  contact 
with,  and  her  services,  given  in  love  as  they  were,  soon 
became  recognized  by  the  administration  of  the  Home 
of  the  state  and  the  Grand  Army.  At  the  Home  she 


was  called  "Mother  Lippincott"  by  officers  and  soldiers 
alike.  Some  of  her  people  were  disposed  to  resent  the 
idea  of  her  being  in  the  employ  of  a  state  institution, 
and  were  able  and  willing  to  care  for  her,  but  she  felt 
that  her  life  work  should  be  given  to  the  old  soldiers, 
and  she  clung  to  the  Home. 

When  the  end  came,  in  1896,  her  lifeless  body  rested 
on  the  pavement  just  outside  headquarters  building, 
that  the  old  soldiers  might  take'a  hist  look  at  the  fea 
tures  of  "Mother  Lippincott",  while  tears  rained  down 
their  furrowed  cheeks.  It  was  then  that  a  brother  re 
marked :  "I  see  it  now  ;  I  never  could  understand  how 
she  could  work  over  those  old  men,  and  I  always  felt 
it  was  a  shame  for  her  to  slave  herself  in  the  way  she 
did.  But  she  was  just  as  much  a  missionary  and  lived 
as  much  a  life  of  Christian  love  as  any  that  have  gone 
to  foreign  fields. "  And  she  was  tenderly  laid  to  rest 
by  soldierly  hands,  beside  her  soldier  husband,  while 
comrades  gray  and  battle-scarred  wept  on  every  side. 

L.  H.   PROSSER. 


RECEPTION  OF  THE  33rd  ILLINOIS  VETERANS  AT  BLOOMINGTON,  ILL., 
MARCH  J4th,  J864,  WHEN  ON  THEIR  VETERAN  FURLOUGH. 

[From  the  Bloomington  Pantagraph.'] 


The  special  train  bearing  the  regiment  arrived  at 
about  ten  o'clock,  and  was  received  with  the  greatest 
enthusiasm.  The  boys  looked  well,  with  but  few  ex 
ceptions.  Lt.  Col.  Potter,  the  officer  in  command,  was 
somewhat  wasted  with  illness,  but  we  never  saw  the 
other  officers  apparently  in  better  health  and  spirits. 
The  regiment  was  newly  uniformed  and  never  did  it 
appear  to  better  advantage,  or  bear  its  bullet-riddled 
banners  more  proudly,  than  on  this  occasion. 

Escorted  by  the  Marshal,  the  Cornet  Band,  and  a 
large  crowd  of  citizens,  the  regiment  marched  to  Royce 
Hall,  and  took  their  seats  for  a  short  time,  while  Lt. 
Col.  Roe  spoke  a  few  earnest  words  of  welcome,  as  Pres. 
Edwards,  orator  of  the  day,  had  failed  to  arrive.  The 
regiment  was  then  dismissed  to  take  care  of  itself  till 
three  o'clock  p.  m. 

A  little  before  that  hour  the  soldiers  rendezvoused  at 
Royce  Hall  and  marched  in  order  to  Phoenix  Hall, 
where  the  ladies  of  the  city  awaited  them.  The  com 
mittees  had  certainly  done  wonders.  The  hall  was 
splendidly  decorated  with  tri-colored  hangings,  flags, 
banners,  evergreens,  pictures,  the  list  of  battles  in 
which  the  regiment  had  been  engaged,  captured  rebel 
standards,  and  other  adornments.  The  dinner  was  su 
perlative.  We  must  say  our  veneration  for  the  ladies  of 
Bloomington  has  reached  a  climax.  That  upon  such  a 
frightfully  short  notice  they  should  have  developed 
such  an  inexhaustible  store  of  the  good  things  of  this 
life,  is  truly  one  of  the  latter  day  miracles.  Yet  there 


they  were,  three  long  tables,  groaning  with  their  over 
burden  of  dinner  for  a  thousand  people.  The  men  took 
their  places  at  the  tables,  where  they  were  welcomed 
with  a  few  pithy  words  by  Mr.  Amlrus,  the  master  of 
ceremonies,  who  proposed  three  hisses  for  the  banner  of 
treason  and  three  cheers  for  the  Star  Spangled  Banner, 
which  were  given  with  a  will. 

After  a  song  by  our  Musical  Association,  Mrs.  Daniel 
Wilkins  came  forward,  and  in  a  clear  and  powerful 
voice  read  the  following  address: 

"Brothers:— We  give  you  an  earnest,  cordial  welcome. 
Our  hearts  have  followed  you  in  all  your  weary  march 
es,  and  stern  fought  battle  fields,  and  now  we  bless  God 
that  you  have  been  preserved,  and  are  returned  to  us 
this  day.  We  sympathize  with  you  as  memory  turns 
with  tearful  eye  to  lonely  graves  of  brave,  large-hearted 
soldiers  who  gave  their  lives  a  noble  sacrifice  on  the 
dear  blood -washed  altar  of  our  national  union— men 
who  went  out  with  you  so  full  of  life,  hope  and  noble 
deeds,  that  the  providence  seems  dark  and  bitter  that 
so  stopped  them  short  with  life's  works  seemingly  half 
done.  The  stern  death  angel  has,  no  doubt,  visited 
some  of  your  hearthstones  since  you  left  us  at  your 
country's  call,  and  has  hid  many  heart  treasures  from 
your  mortal  eye.  But  we  pray  that  God  will  give  you 
faith  to  see  that  to  the  good 

"  'There  is  no  death  ;  'tis  but  transition, 
That  opes  the  gates  of  joys  elysian.' 

"We  did  have  faith,  but  still  we  had  our  fears,  when 


272 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


JAMES  BO1COURT. 
Sergeant  "K"  Company. 


JOHN  H.  MOULTON,  1862. 
Corporal  "K"  Company. 


MICHAEL  J.  BARNETT,  1864. 
Corporal  "K"  Company. 


JOSEPH  D.  TURNER,  1861. 
Corporal  "K"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


273 


you  first  took  the  field,  that  those  who  had  so  reverently 
bowed  at  Minerva's  quiet  shrine  were  not  the  ones  who 
would  be  most  successful  on  the  fierce  red  field  of  Mars. 
But  this  peace  loving  nation  has  learned  this  lesson, 
that  bayonets  with  brains  behin.l  them  present  a  ram 
part  that  tyranny  and  ignorance  can  never  overcome. 
We  give  you,  too,  as  veterans  of  the  war,  our  warmest 
admiration  and  our  highest  praise.  Impulsive  patriot 
ism  may  have  moved  you  when  you  first  enlisted  in 
your  country's  service;  but  now,  after  all  these  months 
of  toil,  still  to  stand  steady  to  your  purpose,  must  be 
high-born  patriotic  principle.  With  the  clear  eye  of 
faith  we  see  for  this  brave  regiment  a  glorious  future. 

"The  threatening  war  cloud  hangs  still  heavily  in 
our  seething  sky.  But  when  you  come  to  us  again, 
God's  hand  (acting  through  the  strong  arms  of  this 
liberty-loving  people)  shall  have  swept  this  away,  and 
will  present  to  our  delighted  vision  this  country  all 
redeemed.  All  honor  to  the  brave,  true  men  who  stand 
firmly  up  in  steady  support  of  our  dear  old  flag,  and 
will  not  be  beaten  from  the  field  by  either  time  or  foe 
till  this  great  work  is  done." 

After  the  address,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Price  returned 
thanks,  and  directly  the  hungry  boys  "waded  in"  to 
the  edibles  bewitchingly  served  by  the  fair  hands  of 
our  ladies.  Ample  justice  was  soon  done,  and  the  ta 
bles  were  re-occupied  by  civilian  guests.  More  music 
followed,  and  then  the  orator  of  the  day,  President 
Edwards,  of  the  Normal  University,  was  introduced 
and  spoke  nearly  as  follows : 

"Soldiers  of  the  33rd :— After  your  years  of  hard  ex 
perience,  you  have  evidently  become  adepts  in  the 
science  of  military  strategy.  You  have  heard  that  you 
were  to  be  the  victims  of  a  public  reception,  and  bored 
with  long  speeches,  and  so  you  thought  to  avoid  this  by 
surprising  us  ;  but  we  can't  let  you  off  so.  Your  strategy 
has  failed,  like  that  of  other  soldiers.  I  am  going  to 
make  a  speech,  but  considering  circumstances,  will 
make  it  a  mercifully  short  one,  and  let  you  off  easy  if 
you'll  promise  never  to  do  so  again. 

"Soldiers  of  the  Normal  Regiment,  military  repre 
sentatives  of  the  literary  culture  of  the  nation,  most 
heartily  do  I  welcome  you,  in  the  name  of  the  people 
of  this  country  and  city,  to  our  hearts  and  homes !  We 
welcome  you  because  your  cause  is  just.  If  ever  sol 
diers  belted  on  their  armor  and  drew  the  sword  in  be 
half  of  a  cause  that  was  just  and  righteous  before 
heaven,  they  constitute  our  national  armies  to-day.  It 
is  a  glorious  cause,  also.  When,  in  the  time  to  come, 
America  shall  have  achieved  the  stupendous  destiny 
that  awaits  it,  and  reigns  mistress  of  the  nations  of  the 
earth,  no  record  will  shine  upon  the  pages  of  nistory 
like  that  which  you  have  been  making.  And  when  the 
coming  generations  shall  speak  of  the  heroic  deeds  of 
their  ancestors,  it  will  be  far  more  glorious  to  have 
stood  in  your  ranks  to-day  than  to  have  won  the  cross 
of  honor  in  the  grand  army  of  Napoleon. 

"Your  cause  is  a  humane  one,  too.  Your  enemies  say 
so,  and  we  will  take  their  word  for  it.  There  are  some 


among  us  who  say  you  are  fighting  for  the  Union  as  it 
was— for  the  mere  restoration  of  old  institutions,  old 
conditions,  old  wrongs.  But  you  know  better ;  your 
enemies  know  better ;  they  declare  that  you  are  fighting 
in  behalf  of  universal  liberty,  fighting  for  the  establish 
ment  of  God's  law  of  human  freedom  among  all  nations 
of  the  earth.  This  is  the  testimony  they  bear  concern 
ing  you.  I  accept  it  joyfully ;  so  let  it  be  ! 

"Your  cause  is  glorious,  humane  and  just.  Repre 
sentatives  of  this  cause,  we  welcome  you  here  to-day  ; 
and  not  alone  for  this,  but  for  your  deeds  also.  It  has 
often  been  charged  against  Fourth  of  July  orators  that 
their  talk  was  all  noise  and  affectation,  but  it  is  not  to 
be  so  in  the  future.  If  hereafter  any  orator  fails— if  he 
be  not  inspired  by  the  glorious  deeds  of  our  union  ar 
mies,  your  deeds  whose  names  emblazon  our  walls  to 
day,  it  is  his  own  fault.  He  ought  to  fail.  He  is  not 
capable  of  being  inspired  by  the  grandeur  of  human 
heroism.  Your  deeds  have  rendered  you  immortal. 
There  is  no  brighter  record  than  yours  in  history.  You 
may  be  modest  in  speaking  of  it,  but  we  are  not.  Your 
fame  is  ours ;  we  are  proud  of  it  and  cherish  it. 

"You  are  welcome  for  still  another  reason.  You  rep 
resent  not  only  the  patriotism  of  a  freedom-loving 
people,  but  its  intelligence  also.  You  have  been  called 
the  'Brain  Regiment'.  This  is  well.  Brains  are  a  good 
thing  to  have.  I  have  heard  it  stated  that  men  dis 
missed  from  your  ranks  for  physical  and  mental  in  com 
petency  are  now  wearing  shoulder-straps  in  other  regi 
ments  !  You  should  be  proud  of  your  title.  It  is  glor 
ious  to  represent  the  literary  culture  of  the  nation. 

"And  here  I  wish  to  bring  forward  one  remarkable 
item  of  testimony  as  to  the  intelligence  of  our  people 
and  our  armies.  You  know  John  Bull  doesn't  love  us 
very  much,  and  if  he  keeps  on  in  his  personal  course  he 
may  yet  love  us  still  less  than  he  does  now;  but  he  re 
cently  sent  an  observer  among  us,  a  traveler,  who  went 
through  almost  the  entire  North,  examining  character 
and  institutions  of  our  people.  This  traveler,  on  his  re 
turn  to  England,  published  a  book,  and  this  was  his 
testimony  concerning  us:  'Whichever  way  the  tide  of 
battle  may  turn,  whatever  may  be  the  result  of  this  or 
subsequent  campaigns,  this  nation  cannot  be  de 
stroyed.'  'Why?'  asked  England,  amazed  and  startled. 
'Because  of  the  universal  intelligence  of  her  people, ' 
was  the  reply.  And  that's  what's  the  matter  with 
Bull.  Much  as  he  hates  us,  and  longs  for  our  destruc 
tion,  he  knows  that  this  testimony  is  true. 

"I  am  glad  and  proud  to  address  you.  I  was  glad 
when  the  committee  invited  me  to  act  in  this  capacity  ; 
my  heart  bounded  ;  and  tho'  I  have  spoken  feebly  and 
imperfectly,  I  longed  for  the  eloquence  of  Demosthenes, 
the  sublimity  of  Milton,  and  the  imagination  of  Shakes 
peare,  that  I  might  eulogize  in  glowing  words  the  deeds 
of  heroism  which  have  secured  such  a  grand  inheri 
tance  to  us  and  to  the  future  generations  of  hu 
manity." 

Major  Elliott  was  called  for.  He  came  forward  with 
a  mysterious  looking  paper  bag,  and  addressed  Col.  Roe 


35 


274 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


EDMUND  F.  COLE. 
Corporal  "K"  Company. 


WILLIAM  F.  M.  LACEY. 
Corporal  "K"  Company. 


MARRY  T.  HANDLE. 
"K"  Company. 


WARREN  S.  HUFFAKER,  1902. 
"K"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


275 


in  a  highly  humorous  and  complimentary  speech.  He 
said  the  men  had  deputi/ed  him  to  make  the  Colonel  a 
present.  He  didn't  know  what  it  was,  but  would  go 
down  and  see.  He  "went  down"  into  the  bag  accord 
ingly,  and  fished  up  a  fine  meerschaum  pipe,  a  bundle 
of  Havanas,  and  a  box  of  genuine  Latakieh  tobacco. 
Col.  Roe  responded  in  a  characteristically  happy  style, 
and  after  a  little  more  music — "John  Brown'',  "Rally 


Round  the  Flag",  and  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  — 
the  meeting  broke  up.  The  regiment  adjourned  to  the 
Court  House  square,  and  went  through  a  regimental 
drill  in  masterly  style. 

The  reception,  in  spite  of  drawbacks,  was  a  grand 
success.  We  never  participated  in  a  more  soul-thrilling 
and  spirit-stirring  affair  than  this.  It  was  worthy  of 
our  people,  and  of  the  brave  old  33rd. 


OUR  FIRST  BATTLE  AS  A  REGIMENT. 

[From  the  Bloomington  Pantagraph.~\ 


Camp  Hovey,  near  Ironton,  Mo., 
Oct.  25 til,  1861. 

On  Sunday  morning,  Oct.  21st,  the  regiment  was  pa 
raded  by  Colonel  Hovey  and  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Cut 
ler,  who  presented  to  us  in  behalf  of  the  school  teachers 
of  Chicago  a  beautiful  "stand  of  colors"— a  national 
flag  and  a  state  banner  or  regimental  flag.  They  were 
prepared  at  a  cost  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars. 
No  superfluous  eloquence  was  expended ;  the  colors 
were  presented  with  the  injunction — "Burn  them,  bury 
them,  if  you  must,  but  never  surrender  them.'1''  They 
were  accepted  by  Col.  Hovey  in  a  brief  and  soldierly 
speech. 

At  four  p.  m.,  fully  equipped  for  a  march,  our  com 
mand  moved  out  on  the  road  to  Fredericktown.  With 
the  reinforcements  we  had  received,  our  column  of 
march  now  presented  all  the  features  of  an  army.  Sev 
eral  hundred  Indiana  cavalry  and  a  small  force  of 
mounted  home  guards,  six  pieces  of  artillery,  the  21st, 
33rd  and  38th  Illinois,  and  the  llth  Wisconsin  infantry 
regiments,  and  a  train  of  wagons,  with  much  of  the 
pride  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war,  now  swept 
through  the  mountain  passes  and  roused  the  lonely  ech 
oes  with  the  clangor  of  their  march.  The  setting  sun 
gilded  their  arms  with  his  latest  radiance,  and  then  a 
brilliant  and  unclouded  moon  rode  majestically  through 
the  sky,  and  smiled  a  queenly  blessing  upon  the  onflow- 
ing  tide  of  war.  With  occasional  halts  for  rest,  the  col 
umns  pressed  on  until  within  an  hour  or  two  of  day 
break,  and  the  wearied  soldiers  then  couched  in  the  for 
est  within  five  miles  of  the  supposed  position  of  the 
enemy,  for  a  little  rest  previous  to  the  fight. 

At  daybreak  we  marched  on  and  soon  reached  Freder 
icktown.  It  is  not  a  large  town,  hut  one  of  importance 
to  that  sparsely  settled  country.  The  people  such  as 
had  remained  at  home  told  us  that  Jeff  Thompson,  the 
rebel  commander,  and  his  men  had  left  town  the  day 
before.  He  had  captured  a  Union  messenger  who  was 
on  his  way  to  Ironton  with  the  news  that  fifteen  hun 
dred  Union  troops  from  Cape  Girardeau  would  enter 
Fredericktown  on  Monday,  the  22nd,  on  receipt  of 
which  news  they  had  fled  in  haste.  These  people  esti 
mated  Thompson's  force  to  be  about  3000  men.  They 


had  left  their  sick  and  wounded  from  the  previous  en 
gagements  with  us,  at  a  hospital  in  town.  Later  some 
of  our  boys  visited  the  hospital  and  found  the  poor  fel 
lows  wretchedly  provided  for. 

Our  regiment  was  marched  to  within  a  short  distance 
of  town  and  halted  in  a  grove  to  rest.  The  Cape  Girar 
deau  column  arrived  and  marched  out  on  the  south 
road.  All  at  once — bang!  goes  a  cannon.  Ah  !  thought 
some  of  us,  our  Girardeau  friends  are  giving  us  a  part 
ing  salute.  Bang !  again.  They  are  liberal,  surely. 
Bang!  Bang!  again.  This  is  strange!  Ha!  there  goes 
a  volley  of  small  arms !  And  see,  that  regiment  is  mov 
ing  at  double  quick  in  the  direction  of  the  firing!  Up 
gallops  our  Colonel.  "Fall  into  line!  Fall  into  line, 
quick  !  It's  a  battle  !  The  enemy  are  upon  us  !" 

Soon  we  are  in  line,  each  man  wearing  his  full  equip 
ment,  and  away  we  went  on  the  double  quick.  In  a 
field  bordering  the  grove  to  the  southward  we  halted 
and  cast  oft'  our  knapsacks  and  haversacks.  The  can 
non  were  roaring  fiercely  in  the  advance;  the  rattle  of 
musketry  was  like  the  popping  of  a  thousand  cham 
pagne  corks  at  once.  Regiment  after  regiment,  in 
swift  and  glittering  columns,  swept  down  the  road  to 
wards  the  scene  of  conflict.  A  few  minutes  more  and 
we  shall  be  in  the  battle  in  good  earnest.  Alas  !  we  are  or 
dered  back  as  a  reserve,  and  as  a  guard  to  the  supply 
train.  Reluctantly  we  countermarch  to  the  rear.  Again 
we  are  ordered  to  the  front  on  the  double  quick,  over 
the  hill  into  the  road,  raising  clouds  of  dust  as  we  go. 
We  file  right  into  a  field  and  form  line  of  battle  on  the 
right  of  another  regiment.  Yonder  they  are  at  it.  The 
enemy  are  posted  in  the  edge  of  the  wood  on  the  left  of 
the  road,  from  which  the  ground  slopes  toward  us, 
first  a  cornfield  and  then  a  pasture  field.  In  the  cornfield 
the  firing  of  small  arms  is  incessant.  In  the  valley 
our  cavalry  are  drawn  up  in  line,  biding  their  time. 
The  artillery  are  exchanging  their  iron  compliments 
briskly  from  the  hills.  Along  the  road  still  sweeps  the 
magnificent  river  of  steel  as  our  regiments,  at  right 
shoulder  shift,  "come  pouring  forward  with  impetuous 
speed  and  quickly  forming  in  the  ranks  of  war".  Of 
ficers  are  galloping  along  the  line  issuing  their  orders; 
the  skirmishers  are  thrown  out  in  front,  observing  the 


270 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


ground  far  to  the  right  and  left.  It  is  but  a  glance  we 
have  of  this  magnificent  scene,  but  that  glance  is 
"worth  ten  years  of  peaceful  life".  Up  gallops  an  Aid, 
cool  and  clear-headed  as  if  on  dress  parade,  but  his  face 
all  aglow  with  the  excitement  of  battle.  "Colonel  Ho- 
vey,  can  your  regiment  march  well  in  line?  All  right, 
detateh  a  Company  as  skirmishers  under  an  intelligent 
officer  and  send  them  yonder."  Captain  Potter  with  A 
Company  is  selected,  and  away  they  go  into  the  corn 
field  on  the  right.  Now  the  new  flag  of  our  regiment 
moves  forward,  upborne  by  Sergeant  Bush  of  C  Com 
pany,  to  receive  its  first  baptism  amidst  the  intense 
smoke  of  battle ;  and,  "dressing  on  the  colors",  we  ad 
vance  to  the  charge.  The  ground  becomes  broken  and 
bushy ;  the  Colonel  and  Major  give  up  their  horses  to 
the  care  of  a  private,  and  rush  forward  on  foot,  urging 
the  regiment  on.  Up  the  banks,  over  the  fences, 
through  the  bushes,  through  the  corn,  on,  on  we  go, 
like  eager  huntsmen  following  the  hounds.  And  the 
game  is  afoot,  too.  It  is  no  longer  a  battle,  but  a  flight 
and  pursuit,  and  legs  must  decide  the  question  now. 

Dropping  the  present  tense  and  resuming  the  narra 
tive,  the  enemy  under  General  Thompson  and  Colonel 
Lowe  had  been  reinforced  by  600  Tennessee  Cavalry. 
It  numbered  about  oOOO  men,  while  the  united  Union 
forces  were  officially  reported  to  be  4500.  The  enemy 
had  taken  a  position  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  the  cav 
alry  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  planted  cannon,  masked 
with  bushes,  so  as  to  rake  the  road,  supporting  it  with  a 
strong  force  of  concealed  infantry.  They  expected  only 
to  meet  the  loOO  men  from  Cape  Girardeau,  and  hoped 
by  the  aid  of  the  confusion  of  unexpected  assault  to  defeat 
them.  They  were  demoralized  by  the  sight  of  our 
numerous  columns  forming  into  line  with  the  evident 
intention  of  outflanking  them.  They  would  probably 
have  caught  the  Girardeau  column  in  their  trap,  but 
for  a  negro  who  came  and  informed  its  commander  of 
the  presence  of  the  enemy,  whereupon  our  artillery 
shelled  their  supposed  position  and  developed  their  line 
of  battle.  This  was  replied  to  by  the  enemy's  artillery, 
which  was  poorly  handled,  after  the  first  few  shots 
fired  by  them  their  shells  passing  over  our  heads. 

None  of  the  regiment  but  Company  A  got  near 
enough  to  the  enemy  to  exchange  shots  with  them. 
Company  A  encountered  them  in  the  cornfield,  and 
think  their  firing  was  effective,  as  several  dead  rebels 
were  found  in  that  locality.  We  followed  the  enemy, 
much  of  the  time  on  the  run,  for  nearly  five  miles; 
quite  a  number  of  prisoners  were  taken.  The  enemy's 
loss  was  quite  severe.  Among  their  killed  was  Colonel 
Lowe,  the  second  in  command.  At  one  point  of  our 
advance  as  we  crossed  the  road  near  the  place  first  oc 
cupied  by  the  rebels,  we  found  four  or  five  of  the  Indi 
ana  Cavalry  lying  dead.  It  was  near  this  place  that 
Major  Gavitt,  who  led  this  cavalry,  was  killed.  They 
had  received  the  fire  from  the  infantry  that  was  con 
cealed  along  the  road.  This  checked  their  advance  un 
til  our  infantry  came  up  as  a  support,  when  the  enemy 
was  completely  routed.  They  were  so  badly  demoral 


ized  that  they  did  not  attempt  to  make  any   farther  re 
sistance  to  our  advance. 

During  our  advance  into  the  battle,  while  expecting 
soon  to  get  under  fire,  there  was  much  less  excitement 
visible  among  our  men  than  I  expected.  There  was 
nothing  like  flinching  ;  all  of  the  men  seemed  eager  to 
get  forward  into  the  fight,  but  the  faces  of  those  about 
me  looked  as  in  ordinary  times.  They  seemed  cool  and 
collected.  As  for  myself,  I  tried  to  examine  my  own 
feelings  and  could  only  make  this  of  it:  "I  am  going 
into  battle,  and  may  be  killed  in  a  few  minutes ;  but 
for  my  life  I  cannot  feel  scared  or  excited  about  it. 
All  I  have  to  do  is  to  go  ahead  until  I  get  a  chance  to 
shoot,  and  I  see  no  necessity  for  excitement  at  present." 
I  stepped  directly  over  one  of  those  dead  cavalrymen  as 
coolly  as  if  he  had  been  only  a  log.  He  lay  flat  on  his 
face  in  the  dusty  road,  his  head  down  hill,  and  a 
stream  of  blood  had  made  its  way  for  two  feet  forward 
through  the  dust,  apparently  from  a  wound  in  his  fore 
head.  His  carbine  and  sword  were  slung  to  him  and 
lay  partially  underneath  his  body.  I  noted  these  facts 
at  a  glance,  and  thought  such  may  be  my  fate  in  a  few 
minutes,  and  then  hurried  on  to  keep  my  place  in  the 
advancing  line.  All  of  our  officers,  so  far  as  I  could 
see,  were  gallantly  up  in  their  places,  and  no  more  ex 
cited  than  was  proper.  I  have  mentioned  how  Colonel 
Hovey  led  the  regiment  on  foot ;  one  who  was  near  him 
said  that  his  eyes  glistened  with  eagerness;  he  waved 
his  sword  and  with  springing  step  surmounted  the  ob 
stacles  in  the  way.  "He  looked  like  a  blood  hound  on 
the  trail."  Captain  Potter,  when  the  firing  by  the  ar 
tillery  commenced,  was  in  a  house  suffering  from  an 
ague  chill.  At  the  first  sound  he  rushed  to  his  com 
pany  and  arrived  in  time  to  lead  them  to  battle.  Af 
ter  the  excitement  of  the  battle  was  over  he  was  glad  to 
accept  the  friendly  services  of  a  mule,  on  which  he 
rode  the  rest  of  the  day. 

Had  not  our  regiment  been  ordered  back  at  the  be 
ginning  of  the  battle,  we  should  probably  have  done 
what  we  came  so  near  doing  as  it  was— outflanked  the 
enemy,  captured  their  cannon  and  cut  off'  the  retreat  of- 
the  main  body  of  their  army.  I  went  over  part  of  the 
battlefield  the  next  morning.  The  cornfield  was  well 
tramped  down  by  the  cavalry  and  artillery.  The  trees 
were  much  marked  with  bullets  and  a  few  of  these 
marks  were  above  the  height  of  a  man.  I  noticed  one 
small  tree  that  had  five  bullet  holes  in  it.  Another 
tree  some  six  inches  in  diameter  was  completely  cut  off" 
by  a  cannon  ball.  The  brush,  too,  in  places  was  well 
trimmed,  thus  showing  the  intensity  of  the  fire  during 
the  battle  on  that  part  occupied  by  the  rebels.  This  ac 
curacy  of  fire  on  our  part  ilustrates  well  the  difference 
in  losses  suffered  by  each  army. 

The  official  report  of  the  burial  parties  show  that 
280  dead  rebels  were  buried  by  our  men.  The  rebels  re 
ported  a  loss  of  600  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  La 
ter  reports  show  that  the  enemy's  loss  was  not  overesti 
mated.  Our  losses  are  officially  reported  as  eight  killed 
and  thirty-five  wounded.  The  superiority  of  our  arms- 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


277 


will  also  partially  account  for  the  difference  in  loss. 
Our  men  were  all  armed  with  rifles  or  rifled  muskets. 
These  muskets  carried  a  hall  and  three  buckshot ;  they 
were  very  effective  weapons  at  close  range.  While 
nearly  all  of  the  enemy  were  armed  with  shotguns  and 
squirrel  rifles,  they  were  poorly  equipped  and  undisci 
plined  ;  none  of  them  seen  by  our  men  were  in  uniform. 
It  is  impossible  to  suppress  a  feeling  of  pity  for  these 
misguided  men  and  a  wish  that  they  may  be  speedily 


chastised  into  abandoning  their  silly  rebellion.  Nearly 
all  of  the  Union  troops  were  clothed  in  the  gray  colored 
clothing  of  the  "State  troops".  Our  regiment  was 
clothed  in  the  regulation  blue,  and  General  Thompson 
is  reported  to  have  said  when  he  saw  our  regiment  ad 
vancing  in  line  of  battle,  "Damn  it!  I  did  not  know  I 
had  to  fight  regulars ;"  thus  the  moral  effect  of  our  sol 
dierly  appearance  may  have  had  much  to  do  with  the 
final  results. 


BRIDGE  GUARDING  IN  MISSOURI. 


The  first  part  of  the  regiment's  service  was  in  Mis 
souri.  It  was  divided  up  into  detachments,  a  company 
or  part  of  a  company  in  a  place,  to  guard  the  different 
railroad  bridges,  of  which  there  were  many,  crossing 
the  crooked  and  at  times  turbulent  streams  that  flowed 
through  the  hills  in  this  mountainous  country.  This 
railroad  was  the  direct  line  of  communication  with  St. 
Louis,  the  department  headquarters.  Numerous  at 
tempts  were  being  made  to  destroy  these  bridges,  some 
times  by  a  large  force  like  that  which  after  a  hard 
fought  battle  captured  and  destroyed  the  one  across  Big 
river,  that  was  guarded  by  Company  E.  Most  of  these 
attempts  were  made  by  small  parties  who  hoped  to  se 
cretly  weaken  the  bridge  in  some  manner  so  that  a  pass 
ing  train  of  cars  would  break  it  down,  thus  to  destroy 
the  bridge  and  wreck  the  cars  as  well.  These  bridges 
were  made  wholly  of  wood  and  easily  destroyed  by  fire. 
This  method  was  frequently  resorted  to  in  the  efforts 
made  to  destroy  them. 

To  prevent  the  destruction  of  these  bridges  and  cap 
ture  those  making  the  attempt,  was  the  duty  assigned 
to  the  men.  Scouting  parties  were  frequently  sent 
out,  which  often  resulted  in  the  capture  of  men  who 
had  been  guilty  of  such  acts  or  were  awaiting  a  favor 
able  opportunity  to  commit  them.  The  captured  men 
were  sent  to  St.  Louis  and  shortly  released  by  those  in 
authority,  to  return  to  the  same  locality,  embittered  in 
feeling  towards  the  soldiers,  and  encouraged  by  their 
successful  evasion  of  merited  punishment  to  renew  their 
operations  against  us.  Such  releasements  were  discourag 
ing  to  the  guardians  of  the  railroad  and  also  to  the  few 
loyal  men  in  this  part  of  Missouri  who  aided  by  infor 
mation  in  their  capture,  and  by  so  doing  brought  onto 
themselves  the  enmity  of  the  rebels  in  arms  as  well  as 
those  who  professed  to  be  Union  men,  but  used  this  cloak 
of  hypocrisy  in  every  way  possible  to  give  aid  and  com 
fort  to  the  workers  in  rebellion.  The  parties  arrested 
and  sent  to  St.  Louis  always  had  friends,  either  at 
headquarters  or  among  the  professed  loyal  citizens  of 
that  city,  who,  by  false  statements,  established  the  loy 
alty  of  the  accused  and  by  that  means  secured  their  re 
lease.  The  whole  official  environment  at  headquarters 
was  permeated  with  disloyalty,  which  easily  accounts 
for  the  non-accomplishment  of  any  results  tending  to 


restore  that  part  of  the  country  to  the  union.  The  sol 
diers  became  convinced  that  these  attempted  bridge  de 
stroyers  were  the  professed  loyal  citizens  of  the  locality, 
as  these  attempts  showed  that  the  parties  were  thor 
oughly  acquainted  with  the  surroundings,  and  only  the 
capturing  of  them  while  committing  the  act  would  se 
cure  their  conviction. 

To  cause  the  enemy  to  be  more  bold  in  its  operations, 
the  men,  when  opportunity  offered,  were  to  talk  as 
though  they  thought  it  wholly  unnecessary  to  watch  the 
bridges  at  night;  that  they  intended  when  placed  on 
guard  to  lie  down  and  go  to  sleep,  to  waken  only  when  the 
cars  would  come  or  an  officer  was  due  to  appear  on  the 
scene.  A  change  was  made  in  the  manner  of  placing  the 
guards  at  night.  They  were  secreted  in  a  position 
where  they  could  see  and  hear  but  not  be  observed  by 
any  one  unacquainted  with  their  hiding  place.  In  this 
manner  the  bridges  were  apparently  in  an  unguarded 
condition.  One  night  two  of  the  boys  placed  at  one  of 
the  bridges  in  their  place  of  concealed  observation, 
which  was  under  the  bridge,  watched  patiently  until 
along  into  the  night.  Nothing  thus  far  had  disturbed 
the  quietness  around  them.  One  of  the  men  had  be 
come  tired  from  standing  still  and  sat  down  on  what 
he  thought  to  be  the  end  of  a  log  left  by  the  bridge  re 
pairers  who  had  been  working  on  the  bridge  but  a  short 
time  before ;  the  supposed  log  stood  on  end  and  made  a 
comfortable  seat.  The  night  was  chilly;  he  was  well 
wrapped  up  and  everything  was  so  quiet,  he  fell  asleep. 
A  disturbance  at  one  end  of  the  bridge  aroused  his  com 
panion  to  activity ;  he  started  to  investigate  the  cause 
of  the  trouble.  He  saw  a  man  in  the  act  of  applying  a 
light  to  some  inflammable  material  he  had  placed  near 
the  woodwork  at  the  end  of  the  bridge.  He  called  to 
the  fellow  to  surrender,  but  instead  of  doing  so  he  ran 
towards  the  brush  near  the  bridge.  The  guard  fired  his 
rifle  at  him,  but  failed,  owing  to  the  uncertain  light, 
to  stop  him.  He  ran  after  him  as  fast  as  he  could,  but 
did  not  overtake  him.  He  noticed  that  his  companion 
was  not  with  him,  and  also  that  he  had  not  fired  his 
gun.  He  heard  a  disturbance  as  if  a  great  struggle  was 
going  on  at  the  place  of  concealment.  He  hurried  to 
his  companion's  assistance  and  found  him  struggling 
with  a  supposed  log.  It  had  him  fast;  his  struggle  had 


278 


REMINISCENCES  R  Y  COMRA  DES. 


been  terrific  if  not  effective.  The  supposed  Jog  was  a 
pail  of  gas  tar  that  the  bridge  repairers  had  left.  The 
heat  from  the  comrade's  body  had  warmed  it  sufficient 
ly  so  that  when  he  was  aroused  to  activity  by  the  call 
and  shot  of  his  companion,  it  stuck  fast  to  him,  and 
no  efforts  of  his  could  loosen  it,  although  those  actions 
were  active  and  energetic.  About  this  time  the  reserve 
guard,  who  had  heard  the  firing,  came  running  to  the 
scene  of  action.  This  did  not  allay  the  anxiety  of  the 
stuck-fast  soldier  to  be  rid  of  his  incumbrance.  The 
laughter  of  the  comrade  who  came  to  his  assistance 
rendered  his  efforts  at  aiding  him  abortive.  The  re 
lief  guard  having  arrived,  one  of  them  took  his  pocket 
knife  and  cut  out  that  part  of  the  pants  of  the  stuck- 
fast  man  that  he  had  pressed  into  the  tar;  this  released 
him  from  it  and  also  the  essential  part  of  his  pants  by 
the  same  operation.  This  was  the  only  pair  of  pants 
the  comrade  had,  and  for  some  time  there  would  be  no 
chance  to  obtain  others  ;  the  situation  WMS  embarrassing. 
At  this  same  bridge  a  few  days  later  a  fifer  of  the 
company  was  on  night  guard  in  the  regular  manner. 
He  had  to  cross  the  bridge  frequently  and  examine  it  to 
see  that  it  was  uninjured.  The  reason  that  the  fifer 
was  placed  on  guard  was  that  so  many  of  the  boys  were 
sick  and  the  duty  falling  on  a  few  rendered  it  hard  for 
them,  especially  to  be  up  nights  over  the  river.  In  the 
regular  order  of  things  the  fifer  had  nothing  to  do  but 
keep  his  lip  in  condition  for  blowing,  and  in  the  mean 
time  hunt,  fish  and  sleep.  He  was  given  his  orders  and 
left  by  the  Sergeant  to  enjoy  himself  as  best  he  could 
until  morning.  The  relief  guard  was  within  hailing 
distance  if  occasion  should  require  it.  As  he  paced 
back  and  forth  across  the  bridge  he  realized  the  import 
ance  of  the  task  assigned  to  him  and  hoped  that  some 
prowling  rebel  would  pay  him  a  visit.  After  a  while 
the  incessant  walking  began  to  get  wearisome;  his  lips, 
not  his  legs,  had  been  developed,  and  the  legs  were  ask 
ing  for  relief.  He  sat  down  at  the  farther  end  of  the 
bridge  and  leaned  against  its  supports.  The  quietness 
of  things  around  him  was  oppressive;  there  was  no 
friendly  moon  to  cast  its  light  over  the  bridge;  little  if 
any  air  was  stirring,  and  the  stillness  of  the  scene  had 
the  effect  to  produce  a  drowsy  feeling  which  bordered 
closely  to  that  of  sleep.  Just  how  long  he  was  in  that 
condition  he  could  not  say,  but  it  must  have  been  for 
some  time.  He  was  aroused  from  his  dream  of  home 


and  the  girl  that  was  awaiting  his  home  coming  by  the 
noise  of  some  object  like  a  stone  rolling  down  the 
abrupt  bank  of  the  river  and  falling  into  the  water  with 
a  splash.  Cautiously,  without  getting  on  his  feet,  he 
looked  in  that  direction,  but  could  see  nothing.  His 
senses  were  now  on  the  alert,  and  soon  he  saw  a  man 
crawling  up  the  bank  near  the  end  of  the  bridge  where 
he  was  seated.  His  half-hearted  desire  to  meet  an 
armed  enemy  in  personal  combat  was  about  to  be  real 
ized.  He  was  not  as  brave  as  he  thought  he  was,  but 
to  retreat  seemed  more  dangerous  than  to  stand  his 
ground  and  await  developments.  If  his  muzzle-loading 
musket  would  only  go  off  when  he  wanted  it  to  he 
would  be  all  right.  He  examined  the  primer  of  his  gun 
to  see  if  it  was  in  working  position,  but  he  kept  his 
eye  on  the  man  who  was  coming  stealthily  towards  the 
bridge.  He  watched  his  every  movement;  he  could  see 
that  he  carried  something  in  one  of  his  hands;  it  looked 
like  a  revolver;  if  it  was,  the  fellow  had  five  shots  to 
his  one;  his  only  chance  with  bis  unreliable  musket 
was  to  take  him  by  surprise.  When  the  intruder  came 
close  to  the  bridge  he  got  on  his  feet  and  walked  cau 
tiously.  Just  as  he  got  opposite  and  about  six  or  eight 
feet  from  him,  the  guard  arose  from  his  sitting  posi 
tion,  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  and  ordered  him 
to  halt.  The  guard  could  then  see  that  he  had  a  revol 
ver  in  one  hand  ;  he  ordered  him  to  drop  it  and  throw 
up  his  hands.  The  surprise  was  complete;  the  proxim 
ity  of  the  gun  barrel  to  his  head  in  the  hands  of  a  live 
Yankee  caused  him  to  quickly  comply  with  the  demand, 
and  he  cried  out:  "Don't  shoot!  Don't  shoot  me! 
I'll  not  do  anything.  I  was  just  coming  to  tell  you'uns 

to  look  out  for "    "Shut  up  !    Forward,  march  !   You 

make  a  movement  to  run  and  I  will  blow  your  blamed 
rebel  head  off.  You  infernal  sneak,  you  would  kill  me, 
would  you!"  He  marched  the  prisoner  across  the 
bridge  and  called  out  the  reserve  guard.  The  captive 
was  found  to 'be  a  man  that  had  visited  the  bridge 
guards  repeatedly  ;  he  lived  a  few  miles  away  and  had 
professed  to  be  a  loyal  citizen.  He  came  to  the  bridge 
that  night  with  the  intention  of  loosening  a  rail ;  he 
thought  by  doing  it  the  first  train  attempting  to  cross 
would  crash  through  the  bridge  into  the  river.  Nearly 
every  train  carried  more  or  less  soldiers,  and  the  result 
of  his  scheme  if  successful  would  be  a  bad  blow  to  the 
Union  cause. 


JACK  ROBERTSON'S  RUN. 


Jack  Robertson,  h'fer  of  K  Company,  was  a  good  all- 
around  soldier,  ever  willing  to  aid  a  comrade  in  trou 
ble,  always  ready  to  take  his  place  in  the  ranks  if  occa 
sion  required  it.  He  was  one  of  the  best  musicians  in 
the  Drum  Corps.  At  the  battle  of  Cache  River,  Ark., 
July  7th,  1862,  Jack  was  handling  a  rifle  in  that  part  of 
the  line  that  received  the  first  charge  of  the  mounted 


Texan  rangers,  and  when  our  line  was  forced  by  over 
whelming  numbers  to  fall  back  to  the  rail  fence,  Jack 
went  with  it,  but  did  not  stop  at  the  fence.  He,  like 
many  others,  thought  that  the  small  detachment  would 
be  captured,  and  the  only  safety  lay  in  reaching  the 
main  command,  seven  miles  away.  All  of  the  men  ex 
cept  Jack  soon  rallied  at  the  rail  fence  and  succeeded 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY.  279 

in  checking  the  advance  of  the  rangers  by  their  cool  doubt  aided  materially  in  changing  the  seeming  defeat 

and  accurate  firing.     Jack  threw  down  his  gun,  took  a  into    a    glorious    victory,    the   reinforcements  arriving 

hitch  in  his  belt,  and  started  on  the  "seven  mile  run".  none  too  soon,  as  the  cartridges  in  the  boys'  boxes  were 

Colonel   Hovey,  the  commander  of  our  forces,    sent  a  nearly  exhausted  and  their  short  line  of  battle  was  in 

mounted  Orderly  at  about  the  same  time  to  headquarters  danger  of  being  outflanked   by  the  extended  line  and 

to   obtain    reinforcements.     The    roads    had    been    ob-  greatly   superior  numbers  of   the  enemy.     The   results 

structed   by  the  enemy   by   felling   trees   across   them.  show  that  Jack  was  not  demoralized,    but  the  rather 

The  mounted   Orderly  had   to  go  around  the  obstruc-  hurried  retreat  of  that  part  of  the  line  where  he  was  en- 

tions;  Jack  went  over  and  through,  and  in  the  race  dis-  gaged  entrusted  him  with  a  self-imposed  mission  which 

tanoed  the  mounted   man.     He  reached   General  Ben-  he  proceeded  to  fill  without  consulting  any  one  as  to  its 

ton's    headquarters    in    safety.      Reinforcements    were  expediency.     Jack   came  back   to  the  scene  of  conflict 

hurried   to  the  scene  of  conflict;  they  met  the  Orderly  with    the   reinforcements;   the   artillerymen    furnished 

just  as  they  were  leaving  camp.     Time  was  precious  in  him  a  conveyance  on  a  caisson;  he  rejoined  his  com- 

this  instance,  and  the  few  minutes  gained  by  Jack  no  pany  and  took  part  in  the  closing  scenes  of  the  battle. 


TRIBUTE  TO  FATHER. 

\_8ent  with  a  pair  of  slijipers  to  the  army.~\ 

I'm  sitting  alone  by  the  window, 

O'erlooking  the  forest  afar, 
And  dreamingly  working  a  slipper 

For  father,  who's  gone  to  the  war. 

The  green  bud  grows  on  the  slipper, 
And  the  green  bud  swells  on  the  tree, 

And  the  wind  it  sighs  in  the  pine  tops, 
And,  father,  I'm  sighing  for  thee. 

From  the  old  oak,  down  in  the  meadow, 

Comes  the  crow's  monotonous  caw, 
And  the  bluebird  sings  in  the  garden, 

And  I  sing,  "Gone  to  the  war." 

As  a  nun  counts  her  beads  at  her  prayers, 
I'm  counting  the  days  till  you  come, 

And  praying  the  angels  to  bear  you 
Safe  under  their  wings  to  your  home. 

For  home  is  not  home  without  father, 

Our  guide  and  protector  and  stay, 
And  you  carried  our  home  and  hearts  with  you 

When  you  left  us  that  bright  summer  day. 

Do  you  know  that  I've  been  with  you,  father, 

Through  all  this  weary  campaign? 
My  feet  have  been  bruised  with  your  marchings; 

Beneath  the  cold  heavens  I've  lain. 

By  your  side  have  I  wrought  in  the  trenches, 
Stood  guard  in  the  heat  and  the  dust ; 

I've  hungered  and  thirsted  and  fainted, 
I've  broken  with  you  the  hard  crust. 

And  boom  of  the  death-dealing  cannon 

Has  come  to  my  ear  from  afar ; 
Believe  me,  dear  father,  believe  me, 

You  went  not_alone^to  the  war. 


280  REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 

When  nightly  I  look  up  to  heaven 
To  the  stars  that  gem  the  blue  sky, 

J  think  of  the  starry  flag  o'er  you, 
And  know  you'll  defend  it  or  die. 

I  know  that  the  good  God  is  with  us ; 

I  know  the  right  triumphs  at  last; 
I  know  that  peace's  glorious  rainbow 

Will  smile  when  the  tempest  is  past. 

But  I  know  not — He  only  knoweth 
Whose  pleasure  is  infinite  law — 

Whether  these  slippers,  dear  father, 
Will  ever  come  home  from  the  war. 


PORT  GIBSON,  or  MAGNOLIA  HILLS,  MAY  1st,  J863. 

B.  J.  .WAKEMAN,  J903. 

Just  before  the  break  of  day, 

At  Magnolia  Hills, 
Birds  were  singing  merrily 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 
Sweet  perfume  was  in  the  air, 
Springtime  smiling  everywhere ; 
Anxious  hearts  were  beating  there 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 

Valley,  field,  ravine  and  glen 

At  Magnolia  Hills, 
Filled  with  embattled  southern  men, 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 
Like  the  storm  and  lightning  flash 
The  battle  opened  with  a  crash  ; 
Foemen  there  fell  thick  and  fast 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 

Smoke  of  battle  filled  the  air 

At  Magnolia  Hills ; 
Shot  and  shell  flew  everywhere 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 
Flags  and  banners  proudly  waved 
For  home,  country  and  enslaved, 
In  victory  for  the  boys  in  blue 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 

Many  hearts  were  filled  with  sadness 

At  Magnolia  Hills — 
Sadness  caused  by  vacant  places 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 
Under  the  mistletoe  and  jessamine, 
[n  the  far  away  southern  clime, 
Comrades  blue  and  gray  sleep  side  by  side 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


281 


It  is  two  score  years  in  May, 

At  Magnolia  Hills, 
We  sadly  laid  our  boys  away 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 

Where  the  southern  ferns  are  creeping, 
Sweet  magnolia  perfume  is  sweeping 
O'er  the  graves  of  comrades  sleeping 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 

Oh,  Magnolia,  fairest  land  ! 

Thy  beautiful  groves  in  memory  stand. 
Scatter  thy  blossoms  on  one  and  all 

Whose  sacred  blood  enriched  thy  soil 
May  thy  fragrance  as  an  incense  ever  be 
In  memory  of  the  brave  and  free 
Who  fought  but  would  not  bend  the  knee 

At  Magnolia  Hills. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  NON-VETERANS. 


To  write  from  memory  of  events  that  occurred  thirty- 
eight  years  ago  and  do  justice  to  all  concerned,  is  a  task 
hard  to  accomplish ;  but  when  one  essays  to  relate  in 
part  or  in  whole  the  experiences  and  incidents  encount 
ered  by  his  comrades  during  their  six  months  sojourn 
in  the  99th  Illinois  Infantry,  if  to  tell  the  truth  is  his 
intention,  he  can  do  naught  but  speak  in  praise  of  the 
treatment  they  received  from  the  officers  and  men  of 
that  regiment  and  the  pleasure  that  sojourn  afforded. 

Doubtless  every  non-veteran  remembers  with  what 
heartache  and  feelings  of  resentment  and  bitterness  he 
received  the  information  that  because  he  decided,  for 
reasons  best  known  to  himself,  not  to  re-enlist  at  In- 
dianola,  Texas,  in  the  winter  of  18B3,  he  was  to  be  sep 
arated  from  his  regiment  in  which  he  had  served  his 
country  and  transferred  to  the  99th  111.  He  felt  it  was 
his  right  to  remain  with  the  regiment  to  which  he  be 
longed  and  in  which  he  had  faithfully  taken  part  in  all 
its  marches,  battles  and  incidents  heretofore  connected 
with  its  honorable  service  from  the  time  of  its  organi 
sation  on  the  shores  of  Clear  Lake,  near  Springfield, 
111.,  in  the  summer  of  1861,  down  to  the  period  when 
he  was  urged  to  re-enlist  for  another  term  of  "three 
years  or  during  the  war".  The  reason  of  his  re 
fusal  to  re-enlist  had  in  many  cases  been  misunder 
stood  and  wrongly  interpreted.  His  patriotism  was 
called  in  question  ;  his  love  for  the  honor  of  the  reg 
iment  was  doubted.  He  was  told  that  his  desire  for 
the  good  will  of  the  friends  at  home  who  were  striving 
in  every  way  possible  to  aid  the  Government  should  be 
manifested  by  a  re-enlistment,  and  any  personal  reason 
he  might  have  should  not  count  against  this  chance  to 
show  his  continued  fealty  to  the  cause  and  strike  dis 
may  into  the  ranks  of  the  rebels  in  arms  and  their  aid 
ers  and  abettors,  the  copperheads  of  the  North. 

Hence  it  was  that   when   his  regiment  cast  him   off 

30 


and  sailed  away  for  home  on  their  thirty-day  furlough 
that  had  been  promised  them  in  event  of  re-enlistment, 
he  returned  to  his  deserted  quarters  with  feelings  of 
utter  disconsolation.  His  old  comrades  had  departed 
for  a  pleasant  visit  with  the  home  folks,  and  he  was  to 
remain  among  strangers  on  that  dreary  wave-washed 
and  wind-swept  Texan  shore.  While  they  visited  and 
feasted  he  was  to  fast  and  face  unknown  dangers. 
Friends  at  home  would  ask  after  him ;  what  would  the 
reply  be?  Would  the  friends  understand  and  approve, 
or  would  they  too  condemn  him?  Henceforth  there 
would  be  two  classes  in  the  regiment— the  veterans  and 
non-veterans;  the  honored  and  the  dishonored.  Nothing 
was  left  to  him  but  his  good  name,  that  he  was  resolved 
to  maintain  under  all  conditions  and  under  all  circum 
stances,  wherever  he  might  be  placed. 

In  many  cases  this  consolation  was  left  to  the  non- 
veterans.  Upon  their  transfer  Colonel  Bailey,  the  com 
mander  of  the  99th  Illinois  Infantry,  was  handed  letters 
of  introduction  and  commendation  as  to  his  new  men, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  of  one  for  the  men 
sent  from  B  Company. 

"Dear  Colonel:— I  take  great  pleasure  in  saying  that 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  my  com 
pany  to  be  transferred  to  your  regiment  are  each  and 
everyone  of  them  good  men  and  have  proved  themselves 
brave  and  true  soldiers,  by  faithfully  performing  all 
duty  assigned  to  them  for  the  two  years  and  five  months 
they  have  been  with  me  in  the  service,  and  as  such  I 
cheerfully  recommend  them  to  your  confidence. 
Yours  truly, 

N.  G.  GILL, 
1st  Lieut,  commanding  'B'  Co.,  33rd  111.  Infty. " 

Thanks  to  Colonel  Bailey  and  the  other  officers  and 
men  of  the  99th  111.  I  lift.,  they,  by  their  generous  and 
kind  treatment,  soon  dispelled  that  desolate  feeling  that 


282 


REMINISCENCES  B  Y  COMRADES. 


SAMUEL  A.  SHORT. 

"K"  Company, 
and  "G"  Company,  146th  111. 


GEORGE  S.  KUHL,  1902. 
"K"  Company. 


J.  KING  MONROE. 
"K"  Company. 


ROBERT  R.  CRAWFORD. 
"E"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


283 


possessed  us,  and  as  long  as  he  lives  the  33rd  non-veter 
an  will  continue  to  testify  that  the  most  pleasant  ex 
perience  he  enjoyed  during  his  army  life  was  the  time 
passed  with  the  99th  111.  Few  if  any  events  happened 
during  that  time  worthy  of  note.  The  command  was 
so  isolated  that  no  expeditions  of  any  importance  were 
undertaken.  Most  of  the  time  was  passed  in  fishing, 
hunting,  and  bathing  in  the  surf  on  the  gulf  shore. 
The  call  for  duty  was  hardly  sufficient  to  afford  the 
needed  exercise,  and  we  became  fat,  lazy  and  indiffer 
ent,  as  a  body  of  men  thus  situated  is  apt  to  be. 

We  were  awakened  from  our  lassitude  by  the  order  to 
abandon  and  destroy  our  fortifications  and  useless  sup 
plies  and  return  to  New  Orleans.  This  was  successfully 
accomplished.  Our  trip  back  across  the  gulf  was  much 
more  pleasant  than  the  outgoing  one.  The  steamer  was 
better  equipped.  We  were  less  crowded  and  the  weather 
much  pleasanter.  Our  voyage  was  enlivened  by  the 
rumor  that  we  were  to  rejoin  the  33rd,  which  was  at 
that  time  west  of  New  Orleans,  at  Brashear  City,  La. 
Just  what  our  reception  would  be  and  our  status  in  the 
regiment,  were  subjects  of  conjecture.  On  arriving  at 
New  Orleans  we  left  our  friends  in  the  99th,  amid  ex 
pressions  of  mutual  good  will  and  wishes  for  future 
safety,  and  were  taken  by  steamboat  to  Thibodeaux, 
and  from  there  we  marched  to  Terre  Bonne  and  took 
the  cars  to  Brashear  City,  where  we  arrived  on  July 
4th,  1864. 

All  doubts  as  to  our  reception  by  our  old  comrades 
were  soon  dispelled.  The  entire  command,  consisting 
of  several  thousand  men,  was  celebrating  the  glorious 
anniversary  in  a  jovial  if  not  decorous  manner.  Infor 
mation  of  our  coming  had  reached  the  regiment,  and 
they  met  us  with  open  arms  and  glad  faces.  Nothing 
that  they  had  or  could  obtain  was  too  good  for  us.  In 
fact,  in  this  instance  the  fatted  prodigal  was  killed  with 
kindness  at  the  return  of  the  calf.  This  calf  could 
hardly  be  considered  a  maverick,  as  he  had  been  twice 
branded  and  now  presented  himself  for  the  third.  He 
was  given  to  understand  in  a  boisterous  manner  that 
"he  was  in  the  house  of  his  friends;"  that  the  iron  was 
hot  and  the  branding  would  commence  at  once.  I  think 
in  this  instance  there  were  some  relapses  to  the  pledge 
given  in  Texas  to  the  good  old  Chaplain  of  the  18th 
Ind.  Infty.,  "to  touch  not,  taste  not  the  thing  that  in 
ebriates  as  long  as  they  remained  in  the  service".  On 
this  point  my  memory  is  slightly  clouded.  I  was 
branded  and  may  have  taken  an  anesthetic  before  or 
during  the  operation.  We  took  our  old  places  in  the 
companies,  and  resumed  our  duties  where  we  were  so 
unwillingly  separated  from  them  six  months  before. 

On  September  17th,  1864,  the  order  came  for  the  non- 
veterans  to  be  ready  to  take  the  next  train  for  New  Or 
leans,  enroute  for  home.  We  were  sorry  enough  when 
the  regiment  left  us  at  Indianola,  Texas,  and  now  we 
were  sorry  for  the  same  fellows  that  we  were  going  to 
leave.  Then  it  was  their  day,  now  it  was  ours.  We 
knew  how  they  felt,  because  we  had  experienced  the 
same  feeling.  We  were  rapturous  with  delight  when  we 


received  the  news  just  as  we  were  sitting  down  to 
breakfast.  One  overjoyed  fellow  had  just  filled  his 
plate  with  a  bountiful  breakfast,  but  instead  of  eating 
his  rations,  as  most  soldiers  were  glad  of  an  opportun 
ity  of  doing,  he  shied  the  plate  and  contents  into  the 
weeds  and  began  to  jump  up  and  down  like  an  Indian 
in  the  revel  of  the  ghost  dance. 

At  New  Orleans  the  non -veterans  were  shipped  on  a 
steamship  bound  for  New  York  City  as  guard  for  302 
rebel  prisoners  that  had  lately  been  captured  at  Fort 
Gaines,  one  of  the  defences  of  Mobile,  Ala.  It  was  ex 
pected  that  Lieutenant  W.  W.  Mason  of  D  Company 
would  have  charge  of  the  returning  117  non-veterans, 
as  he  was  the  only  officer  of  the  regiment  whose  time 
of  enlistment  was  about  to  expire;  but  not  liking  the 
prospect  of  such  a  voyage,  he  resigned,  and  Captain  E. 
H.  Gray  of  F  Company  was  assigned  to  the  command. 
The  steamship  was  a  slow-moving  old  tub,  but  strong 
and  seaworthy.  She  was  well  officered  by  competent 
men.  The  voyage  was  somewhat  eventful  because  of 
the  fact  that  the  rebel  privateer  "Tallahassee"  was 
roaming  the  high  seas,  and  a  fear  was  felt  that  she 
might  pounce  upon  us  and  liberate  the  captured  rebels 
we  had  in  charge.  Again,  we  had  on  board  as  passen 
gers  some  men  that  had  been  engaged  in  running  the 
blockade  with  contraband  goods;  they  were  somewhat 
outspoken  in  their  sympathies  for  the  rebellion.  It  was 
rumored  that  the  prisoners,  with  the  aid  of  these  men, 
would  attempt  to  capture  the  vessel.  They  were  forci 
bly  reminded  that  it  was  much  more  healthy  for  them 
to  remain  in  the  cabin,  and  Captain  Gray  saw  that  they 
did  so.  A  short  time  before  we  arrived  off  Cape  Hat- 
teras  the  captain  of  the  ship  ordered  everything  made 
fast  in  the  hold.  Of  course  this  caused  alarm  among 
us  landlubbers,  as  we  had  been  having  it  rather  rough 
already.  However,  in  consideration  for  our  sad  condi 
tion,  old  Hatteras  behaved  herself  remarkably  well,  yet 
quite  a  few  of  the  boys  threw  overboard  everything  that 
was  in  them  except  their  politics  and  desire  to  reach 
home  safely.  We  arrived  at  New  York  City  safely  and 
unshipped  our  prisoners  at  that  gem  of  New  York 
harbor,  Governor's  Island.  In  counting  them  out  two 
were  missing,  but  after  diligent  search  they  were  found 
burrowed  in  the  coal  bunkers. 

All  along  our  route  from  New  York  to  Camp  Butler, 
III.,  we  were  awarded  a  continuous  ovation  by  the  loyal 
people  who  were  in  crowds  at  the  stations  anxious  to 
see  and  greet  the  western  veterans  from  the  front. 
They  gladly  supplied  us  with  warm  food  whenever  oc 
casion  permitted  it.  The  women,  old  and  young,  gave 
us  flowers,  red  apples  and  pies ;  their  sweet  smiles  and 
kind  greetings  went  far  to  atone  for  the  many  priva 
tions  we  had  endured.  We  fully  realized  that  our 
troubles  were  over,  that  we  were  among  friends.  At 
Hornellsville  we  indulged  in  a  sort  of  mutiny  because 
the  railroad  officials  wanted  to  attach  our  car  to  a 
freight  train,  but  were  persistent  in  claiming  our  rights 
and  went  through  as  first-class  passengers.  No  doubt 
the  feeling  of  our  own  importance  was  aroused  by  the 


284 


REMINISCENCES  BY  COMRADES. 


good  treatment  we  had  received  from  the  people  as  be 
fore  narrated.  Prior  to  this  any  kind  of  an  old  freight 
train  would  have  been  acceptable  if  it  traveled  toward 
home.  At  Danville,  111.,  a  "Lincoln  rally"  was  being 
held,  and  our  train  was  stopped  that  the  people  might 
see  the  veterans;  and  how  they  did  shout  when  we 
gathered  outside  of  the  car  and  gave  three  cheers  and  a 
tiger  for  Abe  Lincoln. 

We  were  detained  several  days  at  Camp  Butler  while 
muster-out  papers  were  being  prepared,  but  on  Oct.  11, 
1864,  after  serving  nearly  three  months  beyond  our  term 
of  three  years  enlistment,  we  received  our  final  dis 
charge  from  the  service.  With  sad  hearts  and  tear- 
dimmed  eyes  we  bid  each  other  good-bye  and  separated 
for  our  homes.  But  sad  to  relate  we  had  to  leave  a  few 
of  our  comrades  in  the  hospital ;  and,  sadder  still,  some 
of  the  boys  died  there;  so  near  home  and  yet  the  privi 
lege  of  seeing  their  dear  ones  was  denied  to  them.  One 
in  particular  I  call  to  memory  because  we  enlisted  from 


the  same  place  and  had  been  staunch  friends  during  our 
service.  Sergeant  William  Martin,  B  Company,  an 
Englishman  by  birth  but  an  American  citizen  by 
adoption,  a.  man  of  mature  years,  of  good  education, 
upright  and  courteous  in  all  his  dealings,  died  at  the 
hospital  at  Camp  Butler  a  few  days  after  our  discharge. 
A  little  more  haste  in  securing  our  discharges  would 
have  permitted  him  to  have  reached  his  home,  where 
his  only  relative,  a  sister,  anxiously  awaited  his 
coming. 

To  most  of  the  comrades  that  parting  was  a  final  one. 
What  a  joy  it  would  be  to  them  to  gather  together 
again,  look  into  each  others  faces  and  talk  of  the  days 
of  their  youth  that  they  spent  in  their  country's  de 
fence  !  But  that  cannot  be ;  they  are  headed  the  other 
way.  Time  is  nearly  done  with  them,  and  eternity 
awaits  them.  Heaven  owes  them  the  best  it  has  in 
store,  and  may  God  bless  them,  is  my  prayer. 

R.  M.  AIKEN,  "B"  Company. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


285 


CORRECTIONS  AND  ADDITIONS. 


Comrade*:— By  way  of  preface,  I-  wish  to  say  that  in 
the  writing  of  this  work  some  misstatements  have  been 
made,  unintentional  omissions  have  occurred,  names  of 
individuals  and  places  have  been  misspelled,  words  not 
intended  to  be  printed  through  some  misunderstanding 
have  been  inserted,  and  some  of  the  engravings  are  not 
as  good  as  others.  By  way  of  explanation  as  to  these 
discrepancies,  it  is  proper  to  state  that  many  of  the 
manuscripts  used  were  old,  faded  and  effaced.  The 
number  of  contributors  and  the  distance  at  which  they 
lived  from  the  place  of  compilation  rendered  consulta 
tion  impossible.  Many  comrades  when  written  to  as  to 
correct  spelling  of  names,  date  and  place  of  enlistment, 
discharge  or  accident,  failed  in  time  to  give  the  infor 
mation  sought.  The  Adjutant  General's  report  of  Illi 
nois  in  the  Civil  War  was  used  as  a  basis  for  this  infor 
mation,  but  its  inaccuracies  are  so  numerous  and  ap 
parent  that  the  compiler  used  every  means  possible  to 
obtain  information  at  first  hand,  and  the  failure  to  give 
him  this  information  in  time  has  resulted  in  some  mis- 
statements.  When  you  take  into  consideration  the 
number  of  names  borne  on  its  rosters,  the  length  of  time 
that  has  elapsed  since  the  disbanding  of  the  regiment, 
it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  such  discrepancies  have 
arrisen  ;  rather  we  should  be  surprised  that  they  are  not 
more  numerous. 

As  to  misspelled  names,  it  is  a  fact  that  many  names 
of  comrades  were  spelled  wrong  at  enlistment  and  were 
continued  that  way  during  their  service.  As  to  names 
of  places,  many  of  them  have  ceased  to  exist  since  the 
time  we  knew  them,  and  therefore  no  way  was  appar 
ent  of  determining  the  proper  method.  As  to  words 
included  in  the  text  not  intended  to  be  printed,  such 
mistakes  readily  happen  with  inexperienced  writers. 
Home  typographical  errors  have  also  been  made  by  the 
printers. 

As  to  the  engravings,  part  of  the  pictures  from  which 
they  were  made  were  taken  during  the  war ;  they  were 
faded  and  indistinct,  and  had  to  be  in  many  cases  near 
ly  reconstructed  by  the  engraver.  As  to  the  modern 
ones,  the  comrades  sending  them  not  knowing  the  kind 
of  background  required  for  a  good  engraving,  failed  in 
some  instances  to  secure  as  good  results  as  wished  for. 
It  was  necessary  on  account  of  space  to  make  them  of  a 
uniform  size  throughout  the  work. 

The  length  of  time  that  has  elapsed  since  the  occur 
rence  of  the  events  herein  narrated,  the  passing  away  by 
death  of  a  majority  of  those  who  participated  in  them, 
and  the  total  inexperience  of  the  compiler  in  such 


work,  are  the  excuses  offered  for  any  and  all  failures  in 
the  work  as  above  stated,  and  he  regrets  very  much 
that  it  is  seemingly  necessary  for  him  to  call  your  at 
tention  to  the  following : 

Page  25,  column  1,  line  3— The  word  "for",  between 
"South"  and  "Arcadia",  should  be  "from". 

In  C  Company  Historical  Sketch,  page  106,  1st  col 
umn,  the  statement  that  David  C.  Jordan  "had  been 
impressed  into  the  rebel  army  and  fought  against  us  at 
Fredericktown",  is  a  mistake  (arising  from  a  misun 
derstanding),  which  I  desire  hereby  to  withdraw  and 
cancel.  I  have  now  reliable  authority  for  declaring  it 
untrue.  David  was  a  good  soldier  and  a  most  worthy 
man,  and  I  earnestly  wish  not  to  leave  uncorrected  a 
statement  which  some  may  consider  a  stain  upon  his 
memory,  although  it  was  assuredly  never  so  intended. 
— Edward  J.  Lewis. 

Page  87,  column  2,  line  8  from  the  signature— The 
figures  "69"  should  read  "9",  and  line  7  from  the  sig 
nature  should  be  omitted. 

Page  105,  column  1,  line  14  from  the  top— "Corporal 
J.  B.  Scott"  should  be  read  "Corporal  J.  B.  Lott". 

Page  110,  column  1,  line  29  from  bottom— The  figures 
between  "stay"  and  "months"  should  be  "8X"  in 
stead  of  "18>/". 

Page  156,  line  14  from  bottom -The  name  "William 
Bunnell"  should  be  "William  Burrell". 

Page  160,  column  1,  line  7  from  bottom— The  date 
"1864"  should  be  "1862". 

Page  161,  column  1,  line  11  from  the  top— The  state 
ment  that  "Sergeant  James  F.  Jackson  re-enlisted  in 
another  regiment"  is  wrong.  He  was  a  prisoner  of 
war  at  time  of  re-enlistment  of  the  regiment,  and  the 
words  "re-enlisted  in  another  regiment"  should  be  left 
out. 

Page  165,  column  1,  line  2  from  the  bottom— The  word 
"Veno"  should  be  read  "Venus". 

Page  173,  line  4  from  the  top— The  name  "-Henry  Car 
roll"  should  be  read  "Henry  Carrel". 

Page  174,  line  11  from  the  bottom— The  name  "Sam 
uel  Stoth"  should  be  read  "Samuel  Stotts". 

Page  174,  line  21  from  the  bottom— The  name  "Augus 
tus  W.  Bobbins"  should  be  read  "Augustus  W.  Rollins". 

Page  188,  line  13  from  top— The  statement  that  Joseph 
Sissick  was  a  deserter  is  wrong.  He  died  at  the  hos 
pital  in  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  and  the  date,  £  Aug.,  '65,  is 
probably  the  date  of  his  death. 

Page  189,  column  2,  line  6  from  bottom— The  word 
"these"  should  be  used  for  the  words  "three  of  the". 


280 


CORRECTIONS  AND  ADDITION*'. 


Page  208— To  the  "Roster  of  the  Living"  of  A  Com 
pany  should  be  added  the  name  of  David  P.  Langley, 
Bingham,  Minn. 

Page  205— To  the  "Roster  of  the  Living"  of  C  Com 
pany  should  be  added  the  name  of  Holder  C.  Loveland, 
Bruce,  Ark. 

Page  206— The  name  of  Thomas  N.  Young,  Pontiac, 
111.,  should  be  added  to  the  "Roster  of  the  Living"  of 
F  Company. 

Page  207— To  the  "Roster  of  the  Living"  of  H  Com 
pany  should  be  added  the  name  of  G.  V.  R.  Goddard, 
Creston,  Iowa. 

Page  209— To  the  roster  of  present  addresses  of  rela 
tives  of  comrades  should  be  added  the  following  :  R. 
H.  Ross,  brother  of  W.  C.  Ross,  A  Company,  Rockford, 
111.  Mrs.  L.  E.  Bovee,  widow  of  Charles  Bovee,  A 
Company,  San  Francisco,  Gala.  ;  Matron  Boys'  and 
Girls'  Aid  Society,  Grover  and  Baker  Sts.  Mrs.  Lucy 


D.   More,    widow  of  Ira  More,   Captain  of  G  Company, 
Cucamonga,  Cala. 

Page  216-To  the  "Roll  of  the  Dead"  should  be  added 
the  following  names :  Charles  D.  Montgomery,  A  Com 
pany,  killed  at  Van  Buren,  Ark.,  Feb.,  1903,  while  on 
his  way  to  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  for  medical  treatment. 
Francis  R.  King,  A  Company,  Chicago,  111.,  Jan., 
1903.  James  Stone,  C  Company,  Bloomington,  111., 
Feb.  3rd,  1903. 

Page  275,  column  1,  last  line,  first  article— After  the 
word  "music"  should  be  inserted  the  words  "and  the 
singing  of". 

Page  252,  column  1,  line  8  from  bottom  of  page— The 
word  "surrounded"  should  read  "surmounted'1. 

Page  282— The  picture  of  Robt.  R.  Crawford,  E  Com 
pany,  came  too  late  to  be  inserted  in  its  proper  place 
with  E  Company. 

V.  G.  WAY. 


THIRTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


287 


INDEX. 


Introduction 

Pictures  of  Field  and  Staff'  Officers        ... 

GENERAL  HISTORY. 

Chapter  I— Illinois 

Chapter  II— The  Regiment 

Chapter  I II -Field  and  Staff 

Chapter  IV— The  Line  Officers 

Pictures  of  Field  and  Staff  Officers        - 

Chapter  V— From  Bloomington,  111.,  to  Arcadia, 

Missouri      -------- 

Chapter  VI — From  Arcadia,  Mo.,  to  Helena,  Ark. 
Chapter  VII — From  Helena,  Ark.,   back  to  Pilot 

Knob,  Mo. 

Chapter  VIII— A  Winter  Campaign 
Chapter  IX — The  Vicksburg  Campaign 
Pictures  of  Field  and  Staff  Officers 
Chapter  X — The  Jackson  Campaign      ... 
Map  of  the  Regiment's  Position  at  Vicksburg 
Chapter  XI — The  Campaign  in   the  Department 

of  the  Gulf 

Chapter  XII — The  Campaign  in  Texas 
Pictures  of  Field  and  Staff  Officers        - 
Chapter  XIII— The  Last  Campaign      - 
Pictures  of  Field  and  Staff  Officers 
Chapter  XIV— Our  Flags — Conclusion 
Roster  of  Field  and  Staff  Officers 
Pictures  of  Non-Commissioned  Staff  Officers 
Roster  of  Non-Commissioned  Staff        - 
Pictures  of  Non-Commissioned  Staff  Officers 
Roster  of  Band -        - 


PAGE 
3 
4 


8 
15 
20 

21 
25 

29 
31 
34 
36 
46 
42 

47 
50 
52 
56 
60 
62 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 


COMPANY  SKETCHES  AND  ROSTERS. 


Pictures  of  "A"  Company  Officers 
"A"  Company  Sketch 
Incidental  Notes  of  "A"  Company 
"A"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "B"  Company  Officers 
"B"  Company  Sketch 
"B"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "C"  Company  Officers 
"C"  Company  Sketch      - 
"C"  Company  Roster      -        - 
Pictures  of  "D"  Company  Officers 
"D"  Company  Sketch 
"  D"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "E"  Company  Officers 
"E"  Company  Sketch 


-  72-73 
74 
81 
88 
92 
93 
98 

102,  103 
104 
113 
117 
118 
11!) 

123,  124 
125 


"E"  Company  Roster      ... 
Pictures  of  "F"  Company  Officers 
"F"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "G"  Company  Officers 
"G"  Company  Sketch 
"G"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "H"  Company  Officers 
"H"  Company  Sketch 
"H"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "I"  Company  Officers 
"I"  Company  Sketch      - 
"I"  Company  Roster      - 
Pictures  of  "K"  Company  Officers 
"K"  Company  Sketch 
"K"  Company  Roster      - 
The    Vicksburg    Campaign. — Official 

Col.  Lippincott 
The  Campaign  in  Mississippi 
The  Flag  (poem) 

Pictures  of  Officers  of  Regimental  Association 
Report  of  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
Group  Picture  Taken  at  Chicago 
Roster  of  the  Living 


PAGE 
138 
142 
143 
146 
147 
156 
159 
160 
166 
170 
171 
172 

176,   177 
177 
185 
Report   of 

189 
191 
198 
199 
200 
202 
203 


Names  and  Addresses  of  Relatives  of  Deceased 

Comrades 

Group  Picture  taken  at  Peoria        - 
"Our  Fallen  Comrades  "(poem)      -        -        -        - 
Roll  of  the  Dead 

REMINISCENCES   BY   COMRADES. 

Drum  Corps 

The  Colonel's  Lesson  in  Manners 

The  Firing  on  Steamboats  at  Bolivar  and  Pren- 

tiss.— Why  Prentiss  Was  Burned      - 
Over  the  Hills  to  Vicksburg  (poem) 
Cotton  Gathering     ------- 

The  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  (poem) 

Incidents  in  the  Mobile  Campaign        - 

Foraging  Under  Difficulties 

Battle  and  Charge  at  Black  River  Bridge,  Miss. 

General  Pemberton's  Supper 

Incidents  at  Vicksburg,  May  21st  and  22nd,  1863 

A  Grand  Gulf  Incident 

Sharpshooting  at  Vicksburg 

The  Onion  Brigade 

Dreams,  Ethereal  and  Material 

Leistico  of  "B"  Company  as  a  Forager 

One  Day  at  Vicksburg 


208 
211 
212 
213 


218 
219 

221 
''22 
225 
227 
228 
231 
233 
233 
234 
236 
237 
237 
239 
239 
240 


288 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

An  Epitaph  242 

Vicksburg  Incident          ______  242 

May  22nd,  1863,  and  Its  First  Anniversary          -  243 

C'ampflre  Thoughts           __--__  246 

"A  Pioneer"  246 

Incidents  at  Montgomery,  Ala.      -  249 

Leistico  and  Tim             ...         ...  251 

A  New  England  Village  in  Alabama            -        -  252 

Belgian  Rifles           -------  254 

The  Mobile  &  Ohio  Railroad  Train  Guard             -  254 
The  Railroad  Accident  Near  Boutee  Station,  La., 

March  2nd,  1865                                                      -  259 

Incident  of  the  Railroad  Wreck      -  263 


PAGE 

Sergeant  Kendall  of  "K"  Company  -  263 

The  Trip  Home  From  Cairo,  111.  265 

"Mother  Lippincott" -  269 

Reception  of  Veterans  at  Bloom  ing  ton,  111., 

March  14th,  1864                                                     -  271 

Our  First  Battle  as  a  Regiment      ...        -  275 

Bridge  Guarding  in  Missouri          -  277 

Jack  Robertson's  Run      ------  278 

Tribute  to  Father  (poem)        -----  279 

Port  Gibson,  or  Magnolia  Hills,  May  1st,  1863 

(poem)  -  280 

Thirty-Third  Illinois  Non- Veterans  -  -  -  281 

Corrections  and  Additions  -----  285 


INDEX  TO  PICTURES. 


PAGE 

Abbott,  Nathan  W 60 

Antis,  Henry  T 60 

Algar,   Hiram  V 117 

Adams,   Franklin 176 

Aiken,  R,  Mich 241 

Arnold,  William  C 262 

Burnharn,  J.  Howard..     72 

Bush,  Amandus  L 103 

Byram,  William  H 123 

Bryant,  Julian  E 123 

Baker,  William  C 217 

Burrows,   Elisha 224 

Bloom,  John  J 226 

Brown,  Josiah  L 247 

Bishop,  William  J......  250 

Bateman,  James  W 256 

Brookbank,  James  C...  260 

Butler,  James  N 260 

Brooke,  Matthew  M...  260 

Barkley,  Robert 262 

Barrer,  Thomas 264 

Bay,  James  M 266 

Brown,  George  W. ......  268 

Boicourt,    James 272 

Burnett,  Michael   J 272 

Crandall,  Frederick  M  36 
Coltrin,  Nathaniel  P..  68 

CautTman,  Albert 124 

Cluywell,  Job 142 

Chambers,  I^rnmett  B  159 
Carpenter,  Daniel  D...  224 
Conry,  Benjamin  P....  226 

Crocker,  Charles  M 229 

Chase,  Edwin  D 235 

Chatfield,  Alonzo   B...  241 

Cotfey,  James 247 

Clearey,  Robert  W 250 

Carroll,  Thomas 253 

Claflin,    Arnold 262 

Converse,  Ebbur  A 266 

Coe,  Robert  B 268 


PAGE 

Chanie,  Solomon  G 268 

Cole,  Edmund  F 274 

Crawford,  Robert  R....  282 

Dexter,  Elijah   L 68 

Dickenson,   Piercy 70 

Dutton,  Harvey  J 72 

Durant,  Edward  T 92 

DuBois,    Cornelius 103 

Dwire,  Harrison 124 

Durflinger,  S.  W 217 

Dickerman,  Luke 220 

Donovan,  Daniel 244 

Dayton,  James  L 258 

Dickinson,  Hartas 260 

Davey,  James  B 266 

Elliott,  Isaac  H 4 

Ela,  George   P 146 

Fulks,  Richard  B 52 

Fyffe,  James  R 73 

Fifer,  George  H 102 

Follett,  John  M 159 

Ford,   Frank 177 

Farwell,  Selah    B 224 

Foster,  Henry  L 258 

Gove,  E.  Aaron 36 

Gray,  Elijah  H 3(5 

Gill,  Nelson  G 92,  229 

George,  William 117 

Hovey,  Charies  E 4 

Higgins,  Edwin    L 17(i 

Hester,  William  J 226 

Hall,  Walter  T 232 

Hatch,  p:dward   P 232 

Hebbard,  Charles  H...  238 

Heartt,  George  B 238 

Hand,  George  W 266 

Huft'aker,  Warren  S....  274 
Ingraham,  Duncan  G.  52 
Ingraham,  Edward  H.  241 

Jones,  George  W 103 

Johnson,  Wallace  D 235 


PAGE 

Jacks,  George  S 264 

Kellogg,  Henry  M 102 

Kenney,  Charles  T 170 

King,  John   D 220 

Keys,  Charles  H 232 

Kuykendall,  John  A...  253 
Kendrick,  Joseph   E...  262 

Kyle,  Samuel 270 

Kuhl,  George  S 282 

Lippincott,  Charles  E.       4 
Lockwood,  William  R.     20 

Leys,  John 68 

Lewis,  Edward  J 102 

Lawton,  William  W  H  170 

Lyon,  William   T 170 

Larimer,  John  A 244 

Lott,  Jonathan  B 244 

Lacey,  William  F.  M..  274 

May,  Edwin 60 

Morgan,  Moses  1 92 

Mason,  William  W 117 

Marsh,  Edward 124 

Moore,   Ira 146 

Marshall,  Albert  () 226 

Morey,  Frank 229 

Morgan,  Sid.  0 232 

McCampbell,  James  B  235 

Moore,  John  S 250 

Morris,  Charles  I) 258 

Mahan,  Win.  Quincy..  264 

Meats,    Isaac 268 

Murry,  William 270 

Moulton,  John  H 272 

Monroe,  J.  King 282 

Norton,  Gould  H 72 

Potter,    Leander  H 20 

Pope,   Henry  H 36 

Prosser,  Luther,  H.  70,  270 

Pike,  Edward  M 73 

Pepper,  John   W 117 

Pratt,   Lyman  M 123 


PAGE 

Puntenney,   Russell 146 

Flecker,  James  H 199 

Pelham,  Daniel  C 253 

Pratt,  Charles  W 256 

Roe,  Edward  R 20 

Rex,  George  P 52 

Rex,  Oliver  P 60 

Rosengrant,  Hiram  H.   117 

Russell,  John  T 146 

Rew,  O.  Lucius 146 

Rey nolds,  Nathan  iel  W  170 
Reynolds,  Rasselas  P..  217 

Rogers,    Lucius 238 

Rosengrant,  Abial 250 

Randle,  Harry  T 274 

Suffleld,  Brice 70 

Stillwell,  John 142 

Smith,  George   E 159 

Sheeler,  Joseph   W 177 

Smith,  Henry   W 229 

Shinn,  Charles  E 235 

Spencer,  Joseph  E 264 

Short,  Samuel  A 282 

Tobey,  Charles 73 

Twining,  Edw.  H.  176,  270 

Taylor,  John  S 244 

Taylor,  Jay 247 

Travis,   Robert 256 

Turner,  Joseph  D 272 

Wright,  Simeon 52 

Washburn,  Elmer 68 

Wakeman,  Bradford   J     70 

Winship,  Henry  D 142 

Williams,  Robert  P 159 

Way,  Virgil  G 199 

Wrilcox,  Charles  E 217 

Whitney,  Henry  A 220 

Wadleigh,  Charles  T...  241 

Warren,  Thomas 253 

Watson,  James  H 256 

VValdon,  Jeremiah  E...  262 


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